PC for me for sure! I sure hope this makes photo of the month, it turned out great!
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I agree, great shot.
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Love the detail..Awesum shot
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| Posted by Leia on October 8, 2012 | |
Thanks, guys. Your comments are appreciated.
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Help a diesel guy out here; this is a steam drive wheel, correct? Everything is smooth here except the end which shows a 'slot' and I know there is one on the other end too. Are these slot/keyway's the only place on the axle that absorbs the torque from the drive rod to turn it? Or am I understanding this wrong?
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The process of removing steam locomotive tires has got to be one the most interesting maintenance tasks done to the locomotive's running gear. Nice photo!
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| Posted by Leia on October 9, 2012 | |
Jeff Swanson, I asked my friend Chris McLarney (since he is much more familiar with the mechanical workings than I am) and he replied, "That is the crank pin. All the power from the piston is delivered to this pin and the side rods connect it to the rest of the drive wheels. The key is there to register the eccentric crank in the proper position, which imparts rotary to lineal motion to the locomotives valve gear. The wheel center is pressed onto the axle and is keyed. The crank pin is pressed in as well, but not keyed. Both are pressed on with about 150 tons or more of force."
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Thanks Leia! That makes sense. I was thinking there would have to be a tremendous amount of pressure placed on the axle to keep it from 'slipping' when the drive wheel is turned - the point of least resistance. In my way of thinking there would at least have to be a gear(?) of some sort, but this makes sense too. Now, with 150+ tons of force applied to 'seat' those bad boys, how did they ever get them off? (Heat expands, right?)
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| Posted by Leia on October 9, 2012 | |
Yes, heat expands, and then crowbars and brute force were applied. :)
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