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QUOTE (BobB @ 17 Mar 2009, 14:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>..... The steam engines seemed to be able to cope with overloading, perhaps because it had gone on for so long or perhaps the workshop routines were better able to repair the worn out parts......
The ability of a steam engine to cope with overloading was in part the generally robust construction of the loco and the small number of moving parts compared to the diesel engine. But the major factor and hence advantage of the steam loco is the ability to mortgage the boiler to provide power well above the normal level for short periods of time. It needs skill on the part of driver and fireman to do this so that the boiler can recover on a level or downhill stretch before the next burst of high output is required.
Regards,
John
The ability of a steam engine to cope with overloading was in part the generally robust construction of the loco and the small number of moving parts compared to the diesel engine. But the major factor and hence advantage of the steam loco is the ability to mortgage the boiler to provide power well above the normal level for short periods of time. It needs skill on the part of driver and fireman to do this so that the boiler can recover on a level or downhill stretch before the next burst of high output is required.
Regards,
John
