How Steam Locomotives Really Work (Popular Science) [Paperback]

P. W. B. Semmens (Author), A. J. Goldfinch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2004 | ISBN-10: 0198607822 | ISBN-13: 978-0198607823

Steam locomotives were developed in the early part of the 19th Century, initially by Trevithick, and then most successfully by George Stephenson, whose engine Locomotion inaugurated the famous Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825. For the next 150 years, steam locomotives were further developed and refined, until the advent of new electrical technology superseded them. Although British Railways operated its last main-line steam locomotives in 1968, there is still immense interest in the large numbers of locomotives that have been privately preserved, and which run on heritage railways and in various parts of the world. This book describes the anatomy and physiology of the steam train, to enable all train enthusiasts to understand the workings of the various types of engines in use. It covers the design of the engine, the process of converting fuel into mechanical tractive effort to haul passenger and freight trains, and the function and design of the various components of the engine. The authors also outline the reasons behind the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of steam locomotives. Although the steam locomotive originated in the UK, there were parallel lines of development in North America and in various other European countries, many of which introduced their own individual features. These are dealt with in the book, which will appeal to railway enthusiasts throughout the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`Review from previous edition ...if you are only buying one book for a steam railway enthusiast this Christmas, it has to be this one.' National Railway Museum Review

`This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the realities of steam traction.' Transport Digest

`. . . an excellent treatment of theory, practice and history . . . It will fascinate engineers and railway enthusiasts, as well as prove a source of interesting historical and technical teaching material.' New Scientist

`Enthusiasts will be riveted.' Yorkshire Evening Press

`. . . a most worthy book at an attractive price for anyone interested in steam locomotive technology.' The Newcomen Society

`Excellent value for money.' Railnews

`To enable train enthusiasts to understand the workings of the various types of engines in use, this book describes the anatomy and physiology of the steam train. It covers the design of the engine, the process of converting fuel into mechanical tractive effort to haul passenger and freight trains, the function and design of the various components of the engine, and the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of steam locomotives. Although the steam locomotive originated in the United Kingdom, there were parallel lines of development in North America and Europe, and the individual features of these are also covered.' Mechanical Engineering

About the Author

Peter Semmens was formerly Deputy Head of the highly popular National Railway Museum in York from 1974, and has been active for many years in the popularization of science and technology. He has written 33 books on trains and railways, and in 1990 he was appointed Chief Correspondent of The Railway Magazine, having written the monthly "Railway Practice and Performance" for many years. Alan Goldfinch was Chief Mechanical and Electrical Engineer, British Rail Eastern Region, until he retired in 1989.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198607822
• ISBN-13: 978-0198607823
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,047 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all, July 12, 2004

By 

casimiro gonzalez (Gijon, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Steam Locomotives Really Work (Hardcover)

If you want to know how a steam locomotive really work buy this book, if you are looking for anecdotes, beautifull pictures curious details etc. don't!. I am not a trains fan but I have an interest in the history of technology and I bought this book because I wanted to know how a steam locomotive works. I liked this book a lot because it delivers exactly as promised. The text is technical because the subject is technical and you need a spat of phisics to understand it all. The book explains in detail how the different parts and systems of a steam loco work and how the whole comes together as well as the whys and hows of some operational and maintenace practices. You can also see that steam is not a friendly technology and that steam locos are, by their own nature, difficult to operate and maintain and you get some idea of the amount of labor and skill needed to do it. The fundamental limitations of the technology are also shown and you understand why in certain aspects the last steam locos were so similar to the earliest ones, why some designs were on the tracks for decades and finally why they have become museum objects rather that daily used machines. After reading this book I appreciate steam locos a lot more than I did before.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steam Loco Bible, June 27, 2005

By 

Scooter (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Steam Locomotives Really Work (Popular Science) (Paperback)

If you want to really know how steam locomotives work then this is your book. The author explains what each of the parts on a steam loco do, the different options for each of them and the trade offs that have to be considered when designing a locomotive. The author utilizes graphs and diagrams throughout to describe the various workings of a locomotive. The book does contain photographs but they are generally grainy and of poor quality. However, this does not detract in any way since this is a technical book and not a photo essay. I would not recommend this book for bedtime reading (unless you have insomnia) as it can get quite technical and you have to pay attention to really follow it. If you take the time to read carefully, you will be rewarded with a treasure of knowledge that is almost impossible to find elsewhere. I'm very glad I bought it.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're obsessed with steam, get this book!, August 19, 2005

By 

Jerry B. Cesak "catdad" (La Jolla, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Steam Locomotives Really Work (Popular Science) (Paperback)

To appreciate this book, you must be obsessed with steam locomotives. And if you are, this is THE book you've dreamed of. This remarkable book explains in fascinating detail every single thing you've ever wanted to know about how these marvels of engineering function. Mostly British locomotives are discussed, but everything applies to U.S. locos. Plus, the really technical info is presented in a very easy-to-understand manner; you don't need to have a physics background. If you're in love with steam, buy this book or give it as a gift for someone who is. Totally, completely captivating!