Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-28
A New Locomotive.


At the meeting OF the British Assocs.
ton, at Birmingham, Mr.. Champion read
paper on his new system OF balancing
locomotive engines aud dispensing with
the Use oi couphng-rods. He explained
that the engine is driven by two pairs Of
adhesion wheels worked independently,
dispensing with cDupilng-rods or balance
weights. Il can be designed for Ordinary
high pressure or compound. The four ad-
hc,ion wheels are worked in pairs, two
on each side (Which may he made radial
il dcsrCd), each pair beng driven sepa-
rately from one cad OF Ich axle only. by q
pair Of cylinders working on return crlnks,
attached close 10 the outside OF one wheel
n convenient, the crark-pins being opp0-
site each other, or 10 degrees apart. The
pi>tous, working in opposite directions, re-
quire 10 balance weights; the aXlcs trans
nit the power 10 the wheels by torSi0B IN
one direction; there are no balance weights,
ard as a cons, qucncc there j. 10 power
generated IN ihc working 10 produce oscil-
laticn. TIE aX,c-bON guides receive no
horizontal strains from the pistons, which
amounts In an ordinary engine OF
the same dimensions 10 from six
teen 10 eighteen tors at each stroke. tend
ing 10 break the frames. The cylinders are
placed 20 that the centre 81 tue side bars
are nearly in a line with the centre 81
gravity 81 tie engine. The connecting
rods. seven times the length OK the crank
the vertical thrust, over the leading wheels,
a. in bis original engine, J. reduced 10 one
fifth q The ordinary system. There are
large numbers Of engines of the ordinary
tyre having Inclined cylinders at the
.moke.tOX end, where the vertical action
# Ia. =. sf...
weight on the leading wheel three or four
tons. Tie whole Of The working parts be-
irg on the outside Of the boiler, and nothing
underneath il, as carried out by him
IN 1876, enables the marine boiler 10 he az
Dlied, winch, in bis opinion, Is better
adapted for locomotives, under certain con-
diiOns, than those in ordinary use; ii Is
cheaper 10 make and more easily repaired,
having no stays i'm the Gre.boX. Ordinary
boilers can be used. The total weight %
the engine is reduced, and greater heating
surface obtained IN given distance be-
tween the aXles. The absence OF strains
mentioned enables the whole structure 10 be
made much lighter. A simple apparatus IL
employed for forcing the cranks on the
dead centres when desired, which is appli-
cable 10 all engines. Any known appara-
tus for manipulating the brakes can he
placed on the foot plate, the cylinder " such
apparatus being utilized for moving the
crGnks off the dead-centeTs IL required.
The tres are formed 10 wear parallel, re-
duclng the wear immensely, n well as the
rails. The details OF the engine may be
varied 10 suit circumstances. The position
Of the Is finders having no tendency to pro-
Guce oscillation, they may be placed at any
convenient position, consequently should
assist in settling the yeXcd question OF III
side and outside cylinders. When en-
ginos have all the moving parts on
ibe outside, and are worked long
distances by chonge Of drivers. the one
driver, on giving up charge, can explaia
and point out 10 those taking tue engines
on anything requiring attention, which u
rot 20 convenient when the machinery Is
underneath the boiler. The importance Of
locomotives constructed on the above prln-
clples may be shortly stated; the results OF
experiments made under precisely the same
conditions with the ordinary locomotive
gave The pressure Of the steam In the boiler,
on starting the improved engine from rest
on a Level, 10 be 30 per cent. less, and on
severe curves 80 per cent. less than was re-
Quired by tie ordinary engine. This sys'
TEN is peculiarly suitable for colonial loco
motives,