[BC] Radio engineers become steam engineers

[padrino]

Gordon,

Good point. I can attest to that. There's a point, when running East Wind
(my loco), when the engine, and goofy person at the throttle (me) are
in-sync. You get this sound and feel that everything is running at
top-notch performance.

-Frank Foti

Broadcasters' Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net> writes:
>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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>
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>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
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