Does anyone have a list of the steam locomnotives that include a booster engine modeled on the rear truck? (I know, where else would it be?) Did lionel manufacture any steamers without a booster that should have had one?
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Booster engines were also installed on tender trucks. AHM made an O scale model of a IHB 0-8-0 with a tender booster engine. It even had side rods.
Jerry Curcio posted:Does anyone have a list of the steam locomnotives that include a booster engine modeled on the rear truck? (I know, where else would it be?) Did lionel manufacture any steamers without a booster that should have had one?
If we are talking about pre-scale Lionel, who knows?
But, I assume that you are talking about modern, 1:48, high-end equipment. These are usually very nice and accurate scale models, and typically get such stuff right. I don't know that anyone knows your answer without doing the research, and you can do that. Start checking catalogs, e-Bay, Lionel exploded views on their website against prototype drawings and photos.
For sure: the NYC Hudsons had them for most of their lives - and Lionel modeled it. The NYC Niagaras did not have boosters, and Lionel got that right, too. But those are just 2 examples.
(Trailing truck boosters were found only on modern, cast trailing trucks; not the earlier Cole or Hodges built-up trucks, such as you will see on all original-spec USRA locos, for example.)
Whoa, learn something new every day; I thought booster rockets are what the VL Niagara has.
Not a list but a slightly wordy resource including reference to various US and Euro adaptations of the idea: http://railwaywondersoftheworl...omotive-booster.html
Jerry Curcio posted:Does anyone have a list of the steam locomnotives that include a booster engine modeled on the rear truck? (I know, where else would it be?) Did lionel manufacture any steamers without a booster that should have had one?
I believe the Lionel Berkshires had a booster trailing truck
The 2-8-2 LTI Mike's also had a single axle booster trailing truck.
Thank you for the info with illustrations, no less. I often wondered what the rectangular box behind the trailing wheels was all about. I am fascinated by the details of these mechanisms which were such a technological leap in the day.
Thanks for attaching that interesting article, Hancock52. Until my recent interest in NYC steam, I was not even aware there was such a thing as a booster! Appreciate the explanation and illustrations. I learn a lot of cool stuff on the forum.
Jerry Curcio posted:Thank you for the info with illustrations, no less. I often wondered what the rectangular box behind the trailing wheels was all about. I am fascinated by the details of these mechanisms which were such a technological leap in the day.
FWIW, the training truck booster was invented by the New York Central engineering department. It was licensed or whatnot and others used it. The earlier tender booster design worked, but was more complicated and caused extensive wear-and-tear on the booster machinery when applied to a locomotive that was to be used in relatively high-speed road service. Those little tender wheels spinning those rods around at 50+ MPH was a study in "flailing".
The NYC rear truck (2- and 4-wheel) design had, as I understand, not only an ON/OFF valve for the steam, but a mechanical dis-engagement feature - a "neutral". Boosters were used at starting and low speeds.
D500 posted:Jerry Curcio posted:Thank you for the info with illustrations, no less. I often wondered what the rectangular box behind the trailing wheels was all about. I am fascinated by the details of these mechanisms which were such a technological leap in the day.
FWIW, the training truck booster was invented by the New York Central engineering department. It was licensed or whatnot and others used it. The earlier tender booster design worked, but was more complicated and caused extensive wear-and-tear on the booster machinery when applied to a locomotive that was to be used in relatively high-speed road service. Those little tender wheels spinning those rods around at 50+ MPH was a study in "flailing".
The NYC rear truck (2- and 4-wheel) design had, as I understand, not only an ON/OFF valve for the steam, but a mechanical dis-engagement feature - a "neutral". Boosters were used at starting and low speeds.
The trailing truck booster, as supplied by Franklyn Railway Supply had only one axle powered, even on a two axle (4 wheel) trailing truck, only one axle was powered by the booster engine. The booster engine drove a pinion gear, that was air-piston powered so as the mesh with the large axle mounted bull gear. Thus, when the booster was not needed, the pinion was not even engaged with the axle bull gear. When the Engineer needed to use the booster for starting a heavy train, he he simply moved a large block on the power reverse gear, that activated the air piston and thus engaged the pinion gear. When the throttle was opened, the booster also received superheated steam, just as the main cylinders.
As the locomotive accelerated, when the Engine moved the power reverse gear out of the "corner", which then automatically disengaged the booster steam supply plus released the pinion gear from driving the axle bull gear. The "high speed" Franklyn Railway Supply booster was good for speeds accelerating up to about 25 MPH, but when slowing down, say on a steep grade, the booster should not have been engaged above 20 MPH.
