How a steam locomotive is operated

Grat video and explanation Thanks for posting.

Is there no sound?

Big Jim posted:

Is there no sound?

I thought it was just my device

MattR posted:

Big Jim posted:

Is there no sound?

I thought it was just my device

I didn't get any sound either.

Seeing it has title cards and subtitles, I suspect it wasn't made as a "talkie."

Rusty

Pretty good explanation. When I explain cutoff to folks, I try to explain it in terms they might be most familiar with: The gear shift in a car (or, if they have never driven stick, then I can use bicycle gearing too).

Imagine trying to get a car moving from fifth gear--it just won't happen. Conversely, imagine starting in first, and trying to get up to 50 MPH in that gear--bad things will happen.

It's the same with cutoff--we start the engine moving with the Johnson Bar in the corner--essentially first gear. Lots of power. Once the engine or train get's moving, we can "notch up" the Johnson Bar. Not as much steam is needed once we're rolling along, and by cutting off steam admission, we can take advantage of the expansive power of the steam. Using less steam means saving on fuel and water requirements.

Certain engineers can really beat up on their firemen by not properly adjusting cutoff, as I'm sure Hot Water knows.