Subject:
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Train engine transmission
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Wed, 1 Mar 2000 17:59:24 GMT
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Viewed:
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1093 times
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(This article is about the mechanics of train engines, not necessarily
related to the LEGO train line. I hope to learn what I need to know
if I'm going to build a train engine in LEGO some day, though, so I
hope this is enough to justify posting the article here.)
I've noticed that all steam engines seem to have at least two pairs of
driving axles, usually more, connected with rods on the outside of the
wheels. I suppose the wheels on either side of the axles are
connected, i.e. that there is no differential or anything like that
between the wheels. The tracks probably don't curve too much, so that
a solid axle is no problem, like it would have been on a truck, say.
Even some non-steam trains seem to have a construction like this, with
the driving wheels connected with rods on the outside.
My question is this: Why is this kind of transmission used so much,
even in fairly modern non-steam engines? My guess is that it is used
because it allows the axles to have some suspension, while waiving the
need for a transmission system consisting of universal joints, as
commonly seen in trucks. The rod-transmission system is probably
fairly efficient, not having any friction problems, as one would get
in a cogwheel transmission. Is this anywhere near the truth?
Also, in a non-steam engine with the connecting rod transmission
system: How many of the axles are actually powered? Only one, with
the rest powered via the rods?
Fredrik
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Message has 2 Replies:
 | | Re: Train engine transmission
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| (...) I can't answer everything here, but will spit out some information... The rod coupling works very well with steam engines for the reasons you surmised. The flexing issues due to curves and bumps are almost nil. This is not the case in (...) (25 years ago, 1-Mar-00, to lugnet.trains)
| | | Re: Train engine transmission
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| (...) Yes, and there is more of a reason to it than that. It only takes getting the holes the right distance apart once, vs making gears. Another factor is the physical size of the connecting cardinal shaft required. For a "average" steam engine, (...) (25 years ago, 1-Mar-00, to lugnet.trains)
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