Some items on this page are also available
as PDF files which are suitable for printing. To view these files
you may need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click on the logo for
a free download.
See also the Mutual
Improvement Class page for details of forthcoming classes.
The Boiler.
Details of boiler construction.
Injectors.
Find out how water is fed to the boiler.
Combustion.
The mysteries of coal and how to burn it efficiently
Principles
of Good Firing Some good basic advice for
trainees. Printable
version. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Valves
and Pistons How the steam is put to work.
Valves and Pistons MIC presentation
Valves
and Pistons MIC Handout
Stephenson's
Valve Gear The mysteries unravelled.
Walshaert's
Valve Gear An
explanation which includes an animation.
Try our Walschaarts
valve gear quiz, how much do you know?
Valve
Gear Download
Charles Dockstader's famous Valve
Gear Download for Windows or MS-Dos. All the valve gears you
can imagine, working on your computer screen! Highly recommended.
Lubrication
Hints and Tips Written by the Loco Dept Manager.
The Vacuum
Brake You can make it go, but do you
know how to stop it?
Introduction
to the Steam Locomotive A booklet originally
produced for K&ESR trainee firemen is reproduced here.
Duties
of Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners
Does what it says on the tin! Printable
version. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
K&ESR
Water Treatment. An article by K&ESR Loco Department
expert Chris Greatley about the benefits of the reverse osmosis system
installed at Rolvenden. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
If the above doesn't answer your
questions try these sites: -
Trainweb
Railway Technical Pages
Trainweb is the biggest rail site on the web. Masses of links to technical
information.
UK
Heritage Railways Technical Pages
Good site for some more technical stuff, well worth a look.
Rob's How it Works
Pages on the NYMR site.
How a steam railway engine works
Pages with interesting photos from the Mid Hants Railway.
If you know of any other good technical
sites e-mail the Webmaster
to have them included here.
If the internet can't
satisfy you, why not resort to old fashioned books?
These are just a few recommended
books, most of them can usually be obtained by searching www.abebooks.co.uk
Locomotive valves and Valve Gears
by Yoder and Wharen. Published by Camden Miniature Steam Services,
13 High street Rode, Nr Bath, Somerset. BA3 6NZ.
Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Tip, Send for a Camden catalogue.
It's full of interesting steam books!
Locomotive
Management Cleaning-Driving-Maintenance by Jas. T. Hodgson ad Chas.
S. Lake. My copy is a 1948 edition but various versions can still be
found second hand.
Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Steam Locomotion by Edward
Cecil Poultney, OBE. Published by the Caxton Publishing Company. Mine
was published in 1951. Two volumes with tons of information and superb
diagrams. Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Locomotives by A.M. Bell,
originally published by Virtue. Two volumes, mine is a 1948 version!
Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Handbook For Steam Locomotive
Enginemen published by the British Transport Commission in 1957.
Also often known as "The Black Book" Widely regarded as the
enginemen's bible. This book has recently been re-printed by Ian
Allan so may still be available. Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Raising Steam
by Dennis Griffiths. Published by Patrick Stephens Ltd in 1980.
Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Steam Locomotive Lubrication
by Peter W. Skelton. Published by MIC Publications, 16 Thurlow Way,
Barrow-in-Furness. LA14 5XP. Find a copy of this book at
Abebooks
The Engine Drivers Manual by
Brian Topping. Published by OPC £18.99. A splendid book for anyone climbing
the footplate promotion ladder. Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Steam Locomotive Restoration
and Preservation by D.W. Harvey. This
book contains knowledge and experience gained over half a century of
the authors working life maintaining and running steam locos. Published
by David and Charles. Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Locomotive Boilers by Alan
Haigh. Available from the author at 2 Foster Close, Morley, Leeds. LS27
9NH. Extremely good value at £10.
Red for Danger by L T C Rolt
is not strictly a technical book but should be essential reading for
anyone embarking on a railway career. This is the standard book
on railway accidents, their causes and steps taken to avoid them.
Highly recommended. Find a copy of this book at Abebooks
Most of the books mentioned above
and many others can be found by using the Abebooks search facility below.
