| Posted by on December 9, 2013 | |
Thanks Brian! I think that the preservation society (AAATV - SPDC) would appreciate getting a copy of this fabulous picture.
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Fantastic photograph! I'm a huge fan of french steam, in particular the 141p and r. Just curious, why are the outer pistons not in alignment with the leading wheels and smoke stack?
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Interesting valve gear!
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Good question. I do not know the exact reason for this, but this was common practice on french 4 cylinders compound steam locomotives. Exterior high pressure cylinders drive the second axle, while the inside, low pressure cylinders drive the leading coupled axle. Maybe because it eased the construction of steam passages between the two groups of cylinders ?
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The cylinder arrangement on these engines followed the de Glehn compound principle with two outside high pressure cylinders and two low pressure between the frames. They had Dabeg oscilating cam poppet valves with four sets of Walschearts valve gear. I believe the placing of the outide cylinders further back than the inside ones was to drive the centre axle whilst the inside cylinders drove on the leading axle these giving connecting rods of identical length. They were indeed complex machines.
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Brian...Thanks for the additional information. Bet the shop repairmen dreaded working on this valve gear set up.
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Yes, from what i gathered, reading what little french i can from a few books i have on french steam, Coal was not very plentiful in France hence the coal briquettes and this dule drive gear multipiston set up, to "get more from the steam". But because it was mechanically quite intricate most mechanics and engineers alike both preferred the simple, yet dependable and rugged set up of the American Built 141r.
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Yes, from what i gathered, reading what little french i can from a few books i have on french steam, Coal was not very plentiful in France hence the coal briquettes and this dule drive gear multipiston set up, to "get more from the steam". But because it was mechanically quite intricate most mechanics and engineers alike both preferred the simple, yet dependable and rugged set up of the American Built 141r.
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Good evening,
I am the person in charge of the association who takes care of the rémise in service of this locomotive. The works move forward well: we are making the expertises of the boiler. We shall still need at least ten working years to see again this machine to spit of new a plume of smoke. We have only a tiny part of funds to work but are optimistic.
If you have photos or other documents which could help us do not hesitate to contact me.
You can follow us on the internet and on the facebook:
http://231e41.fr
https://www.facebook.com/231e41
Cordially
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