[BC] Radio engineers become steam engineers

[Gordon Carter]

As if you needed any persuasion!

Having had the privilege of running a full-size steamer, let me add that
there is a distinct "sweet spot" when you get things running just right.
All of a sudden the thing gets relatively quiet and really runs smooth.

Gordon Carter, CPBE, CBNT
WFMT

-----Original Message-----
From: broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net
[mailto:broadcast-bounces at radiolists.net] On Behalf Of padrino
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2007 11:54 AM
To: Broadcasters' Mailing List
Cc: broadcast at radiolists.net
Subject: Re: [BC] Radio engineers become steam engineers

David,

Good analogy about the quartering of the steam engine. I can say that
getting them timed is the tricky part. While it would appear that it
could
be done by setting all the functions in there proper physical locations
(cylinders, drive shafts, valve shafts, etc), it does not take into
consideration the small, yet important issues regarding system
tolerances,
and wear.

Lucky for me, my loco was 'square' when I got it, and have since made
reference markings on the eccentrics, so that it can be easily re-timed,
if need be. It is easy to hear, when they fall out of timing. The
"chuff-chuff" sound is offset, with an "cha-chuff-cha-chuff" sound.

Since this topic has cropped up again, I'd like to make the offer to the
group, that our steam club will be getting underway soon. Check it out
at:
www.lakeshorelivesteamers.com. Should any of you find yourselves in
North
East Ohio, during the summer, contact me, twist my arm, and I'll gladly
fire the steamer!! :)

-Frank Foti

Broadcasters' Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net> writes:
>Hi, Dave!
>The physics behind a steam locomotive isn't entirely foreign to those
>with RF or AC knowledge.
>
>
>The typical steam engine's left and right side wheelsets are driven
>in quadrature (90 degrees out of phase) to each other, with the each
>side's piston alternately providing positive and negative force every
>cycle. Just like sines and cosines. (But no, they do not designate
>one side's wheels as 'real' and the other 'imaginary.')  :-)
>
>
>The locomotive designers refer to this as 'quartering' the wheels
>(because one set of wheels is rotated a quarter-turn, 90 degrees,
>from the other set). Getting even a few degrees 'out of quarter'
>would be a serious problem as the locomotive could get in a position
>where the wheels are locked and won't move in either direction.
>
>
>By carefully applying the proper amount of force (steam) synchronized
>at exactly the right phase, the locomotive can be worked at its
>highest efficiency for a given torque requirement. Not totally unlike
>a Class C amp working at "cutoff" (coincidentally or not, the same
>term 'cutoff' is used for locomotives to designate at what point in
>the rotational phase and for how long the power should be applied).
>
>
>Mr. Foti, being the owner of a real live, fire-breathing steam
>locomotive might have something to say here...
>
>
>On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 08:18:09 EDT, Hultsman5 at aol.com wrote:
>
>
>>FYI  FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL
>>
>>Gentlemen,  Claude Gray is still alive and kicking.  I last saw
>>him at a
>>Birmingham Hamfest Flea market.  About five years ago I ran into
>>him at the
>>Birmingham Zoo.  He was operating the steam engine of the Zoo
>>Railroad there.  He
>>actually had a license to operate a steam engine.   The Zoo has since
>>replaced the steam engine with a gasoline model and he  declined
>>the engineers job.
>>The steam train was moved to the Heart  of Dixie Railroad Club with
>>lots of
>>track in Calera, AL.  They were having  alot of trouble getting it
>>timed
>>correctly.  Claude came in and tuned it  right up.
>>
>><snip>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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