[Steam-engine] Reverser lever

Mon Apr 16 11:24:44 PDT 2007

Jeff,

I didn't know that you were planning to try and re-enact the famous BHP test that is legendary with this engine.  Should be fun to watch.  Also, I cold be wrong here, but I don't think your analogy of the going on's is correct all the way through.  But that doesn't mean what I think is correct either.  Anyway, you are correct about not pulling the throttle wide open from the get go...that goes without saying.  But I can't say that I recall my grandfather, who engineered for the Great Northern Railway Company and later for Rollag and Prairie Village, hooking up an engine till he was running down the road a ways and the engine was up to a speed he was wanting to reach.  As for the steam cylinder cocks, they are used for the same purpose as what we use them for on traction engines, to get the condensate out of the cylinders or run the risk of blowing off the cylinder head.  Once the cylinders are cleared, then the cocks are closed to use maximum pressure to push the pistons back and forth while feathering the throttle to ensure maximum torque without slipping the wheels.  All other statements made about the Johnson bar, either on a traction engine or a locomotive are fairly accurate and don't warrant me reiterating what others have already written.

I am looking forward to coming to Pawnee, if things work out.  I hope to meet more fellow A.T.I.S. and Stacker users.  I'm not hard to find.  Just look for the one dressed in proper Chaddy Atterberry (sp.?) approved attire leaning back shooting the breeze.

Lawrence

-----Original Message-----
From: steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com
[mailto:steam-engine-bounces at lists.stationary-engine.com]On Behalf Of
Jeff Detwiler
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2007 12:46 PM
To: Steam-engine mailing list
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Reverser lever

Probably need a point of clarification here.....

If one were to throw a locomotive reverser(aka "Johnson Bar") in the corner and open the throttle wide, you'd have one fireman madder than a wet hen.  Your entire firebed would go out the stack, and....you would probably spin the tires right off the drivers they would be so hot.  There are cylinder cocks on a locomotive much the same as a traction engine, and when you see the clouds of steam coming from underneath the sides of the cylinders when one is starting out of the depot, not only is the engineer removing condensed steam from the cylinders, he is also using this action to smooth his opening of the throttle, which he does just a bit at a time, allowing the train to start without spinning the drivers, which gets everyone in trouble....  Just as soon as the drivers have made a revolution the engineer begins the hooking up process, and shuts the cylinder cocks, which have kind of acted like a clutch of sorts, if you will.  As the train continues to pick up speed, the john!
 son bar is moved further to the center, into economy mode.  We could get into other specifics such as steam chest pressure, cylinder back pressure, etc, but we'll save that one for Rollag steam school...

Andy~~ you coming to Pawnee this year?  We're having a Cat regional (ACMOC)as the feature and expect 3 or 4 60's and even a 1915 Holt 75 Crawler(monster).  Would love to have any and all of you there!  The Joyland 65 will also be re-creating the famous pull of Joyland Park and Harold Ottaway fame.

JD

--- pioneersop96 at yahoo.com wrote:

From: Andy glines <pioneersop96 at yahoo.com>
To: Steam-engine mailing list <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
Subject: Re: [Steam-engine] Reverser lever
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2007 09:47:49 -0700 (PDT)

Francis has hit the nail on the head.  Moving the
lever toward the center is called "hooking up"  Trains
use this method to control the speed.  They put the
lever into the farthest notch "in the corner" and open
the throttle wide open to get rolling. After they are
moving the engineer moves the reverse toward the
center as far as he can and still maintain the needed
speed.  The closer the lever is to the center the less
steam the cylinder gets thus it is more efficient.  
Get a copy of the Case Manual.  Read the entire book
because it is well written in plain language.  The
Case book gives a very good overview of a traction
engine and it appliances and I recommend it to anyone
starting out with steam.  The Case book also gives
good instructions for settinf the Woolf gear on a Case
engine.  I used the case directions when setting the
valve on my Huber.  The "Steam Engine Guide" by P.S.
Rose covers different valve gears.  You can get the
guide from www.steamtraction.com
--- Francis Orr <steam.boat at verizon.net> wrote:

> Rick,
> The "Reverse Lever" changes the motion of the valve
> in relation to the
> motion of the piston. In addition, it controls the
> amount of valve travel.
> The motion has to do with Ahead & Reverse while the
> amount of valve travel
> has to do with the period of time that steam is
> admitted into the cylinder.
> As you move the Reverse Lever towards the mid
> position, the amount of valve
> travel is reduced thus admitting less steam into the
> cylinder and yes it
> does effect the power output. You need a lot of
> power to get a train moving
> but not much to keep it moving once in motion.
> 
> Nation Builder books has the J.I. Case book listed
> on Ebay right now with no
> bids starting at about $9.00. Lindsay Publications
> used to put out a copy of
> the book but I have not seen it listed lately. If
> you are going to mess with
> steam you have to get the 8 Vol series "Audel's
> Engineers and Mechanics
> Guide." Finally, get into your search engine for
> Woolf Valve Gear. There are
> guys out there who have put it all onto video
> presentations so you can see
> how it all works. There are some very interesting
> valve motions out there so
> take a look at them.
> Francis A. Orr
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Richard Strobel" <Richard_Strobel7 at msn.com>
> To: "Steam-engine mailing list"
> <steam-engine at lists.stationary-engine.com>
> Sent: Sunday, April 15, 2007 7:06 AM
> Subject: [Steam-engine] Reverser lever
> 
> 
> > G'day all;]
> >   Would someone explain the "Reverser Lever" and
> notches on a Case 60?
> > Mostly pertaining to the movement of the
> eccentric/slide valve and how
> this
> > MAY effect the power of the engine if in fact it
> does?
> >
> >   TIA...getting closer everyday to building a fire
> >
> >   RickinMt.
> >

Andy Glines
Evansville, IN

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