Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1869-11-11
What is a Locomotive Engine!

. 4 iotj anu PciHdpo uloSt iHlpol ldIt, II
the Boiler. This is a magazine in which
is stored the power of a thousand giants.
If it be sufficiently strong to hold in this
reserved force, then man has successfully
harnessed the elements, and compels them
to do his bidding.
The second part of this machine is the
Engine. This consists of Il cylinder, pis.
ton and valves, with machinery attached
to make an automatic machine. The piS-
ton presents the surface and area on which
the power shall act the valve measures
the quantity of force to be admitted at
any one time and the machinery guides
the valve intelligently, SO that the breath
ings of the monster shall be regular and
comfortable; for, when once the valve is
opened the huge lungs take in the breath
of life, and the monster becomes a living
thing; and having been baptized in fire,
it yields gently to the controlling power
of man. The third part of this machine
is the carriage, without which it would
not be locomotive.
This carriage, whilst it must be strong,
yet may have almosta any form the designer
may choose to give it.
rightly joined, make the locomotive of
modern times, with which all the people
are more or less acquainted.
First, of the boiler. The economical
idea to be carried out is to get sufficient
strength for safety, sufficient heating sur
face for steam, and at the same time not
add too much weight so that it could not
be readily transported To do this we
make the boiler of steel, iron and copper.
The fire-boy ITSELF and also the tubes,
are surrounded with water, and as the
fire and heat spread over a large amount
of surface, the heat is easily communicated
to the water and steam is rapidly gen
Grated The comparative merits Of any
two boilers are, first, as to strength and
durability and secondly, as to the econo-
my with which they generate steam.
Another indispensable quality in loco
motive boiler is lightncss, by means of
which it is rendered portable. The upper
part, being about one-fourth of the boiler,
is devoted to steam room. Steam being
lighter than water rises to the top of the
boiler, from whence it is taken and carried
in pipes to the cylinder or cylinders.
may be worked with one or number of
cylinders. Usually it has two, and some
times four.
Looked upon as a fine piece of machine
ry, the locomotive engine is unsurpassed.
In utility it stands without rival ltcon
tains the pent-up forces of "a thousand
giants, and yet is rs obedient in the hands
of its master as the gentlest steed of the
Arab Switter than the wind, and strong
rs Jove's thunder-bolts, by day and 10y
night it is driven over blooming prairies,
and through mountain glen--day time
and night time it is the faithful servant Of
a generous public, and the great ciyilizer
of the age.
The cost of first-class locomotive, Mt
the present time, is about thirteen thou
sand five hundred dollars in currency.
This price includes engine and tender tt-
ted up for complete service,
Indeed, some very large locomotives
cost very much larger sums of money, but
the above is fair price for Il good loco
motive.
Water Is liquid, produced from a
chemical union of two gases, oxygen and
hydrogen. ~ ~ hbuuhttlit III hdtult,
though it is seldom found pure. So great
are its solvent powers that in its pcrcola
tons through the earth it dissolves sub
stances and holds them in solution 1t
also, in falling from the clouds in form of
rain beats down various gases and float.
inc particles which render It more orless
impure.
Large bodies of water that have no out.
flows or are only diminished by evapora
ton, are more or less salt; as the oceans,
and some of the lakes
A cubic foot of pure water weighs one
thousand ounces, or about siNty-two and
oue.halt pounds.
When heated to twohundred and twelve
degrees, Fahrenheit Il yapori1es and il
unconfined, passes rapidly away. II
heated beyond two hundred and twelve
degrees and confined, it gives a force or
pressure. and this force or pressure in
crcases with every degree Of heat till its
force becomes fearful, and its pressure be,
yond control,
Al 4 temperature Of three hundred de-