<DATE desc="2 JUN 98">

<Amended by J 21 Sep 99>

cover page [ next page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

STEAM RAILWAYS By <name key="Edward Raleigh">

page 1 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="1">

STEAM RAILWAYS

By <name key="Edward Raleigh"

page 2 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="2">

Contents Page

page 3 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="3.">

Introduction

I was <reg>fascinated</reg> by steam trains at an early age. It is this that has caused me to choose to do my topic on steam railways. This project is the last one at

<gap desc="identifying text">, and I think that the standard of my project work has dropped since I did the tiger project in Miss <reg><gap desc="Personal Name">'s</reg> class, so I hope this will be my best yet. Here we go!

Signed

<name key="Edward Raleigh">

<gap desc="figure">

115 S.11 2.18

page 4 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="4">

The Coming Of Steam

In 1712, Thomas Newcomen invented a steam engine for pumping water out of mines. Then, in 1769 James watt improved it. However, this new improved version was still to heavy to put on a steam engine.

In the same year, the Frenchman Nicholas Cugnot built the first self propelled vehicle in the world. It managed to reach a speed of 14.5 Kph (9 mph). However, the steering wheel was so stiff that only a strong man could turn it. This meant that it was very hard to control in the crowded streets of paris, and the resulting uproar forced Cugnot to abandon the project.

A few years later in 1804, the first land, self propelled vehicle in America was built; a <UNCLEAR>. It was built by the blacksmith and boat builder, Oliver Evans. It ran on wheels under its own steam. When it reached water the wheels were removed and a propeller at the back drove it.

4 years later in 1808, Catch-me-who-can, a locomotive built by Richard Trevithick. It was open to the public, and ran around a circular track. It was this that gave it its name, Catch-me-who-can. It was the first steam locomotive to run in london.

Then, 5 years later, in 1813, Puffing Billy was built by William Hedley in Wylam, in northern England. It was used to haul wagons of coal from a colliery to a nearby river, a distance of about 8 Km (5 m). Due to complaints about the noise, it had a quieting chamber, which the steam passed through en route to the chimney.

page 5 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="5">

<gap desc="figure">

The American land Vehicle

<gap desc="figure">

Beam

flywheel

crank

cylinder and piston

<reg>Watt's</reg> steam engine

<gap desc="figure">

Cugnot's road vehicle

page 6 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="6">

Steam Trains Arrive

It was the vision of George Stephenson, the "Father <NOTE desc="word/s missing?"> all railways," that brought about the coming of steam. Stephenson saw that steam locomotives were the way forward for railways. Together with his son Robert, he established his locomotive works in 1823.

He built and entered the famous steam locomotive, the "Rocket", in the Rain hill trials in 1929. The <reg>rocket's</reg> performance was brilliant, and easily beat the other three engines, (one of which disappeared in a cloud of steam, one which derailed, and <sic>and</sic> another which broke down). The <reg>principles</reg> of the engine, "Rocket", lived in steam engines for many years. By the mid 19th century, steam trains were in service all over the world, because of their reliability, strength and simplicity. The steam trains were <reg>excellent</reg> at every job. They were used for many years, until electrical and <reg>diesel</reg> locomotives came along...

<gap desc="figure">

Western . Glasgow . + South

a gold and enamel free pass.

page 7 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="7">

<gap desc="figure">

The Rocket

<gap desc="figure">

Novelty

One of <reg>Rocket's</reg> competitors in the Rainhill Trials

page 8 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="8">

The Coming Of Diesel And Electrical Power

In the early days of steam, electrical power was not fully understood, and people had not yet worked out how to harness its power to drive trains, or <reg>anything</reg> else for that matter. Engineers developed the first electric trains near the end of the 19th century, and they had also experimented with varying voltages of electric current. Some locomotives used <reg>overhead</reg> cables, and some took power from a third "live" rail on the track. Electrical power is faster, quieter, and easier to run than <sic>than</sic> a diesel train, although it costs <reg>a lot</reg> to electrify an existing railway, or building <sic>an</sic> new electric railway. the lines are both economic and efficient.

The first diesel engine was demonstrated in 1893 by the german <reg>Doctor</reg> Rudolph Diesel, who went on to build the first reliable one in the world in 1897, Four years later. Diesel-powered trains are used all over the world, particularly on less busy lines, where electrification is not economical.

Unlike a steam engine, a diesel engine does not usually drive the <reg>locomotive's</reg> wheels directly. Instead, inside the engine, heavy diesel oil is injected in to a cylinder of hot, compressed, air. The fuel ignites, and the energy that is released pushes a piston, which drives a generator. The generator then produces electricity, which drives a <reg>motor</reg>, that turns the wheels.

page 9 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="9">

<gap desc="figure">

North Eastern

<gap desc="figure">

DELTIC

A Diesel Train

page 10 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="10">

How Steam Engines Work

<gap desc="imported material">

page 11 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="11">

<gap desc="imported material">

page 12 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="12">

First, Second and Third Class Carriages

The public passenger trains were a far cry from the comfortable, spacious carriages <NOTE desc="word/s missing?"> today. There were three different <reg>accommodations</reg>, with the people who travelled in the best <reg>accommodation</reg> paying the most. The best <reg>accommodation</reg> was the First class. It had a similar layout to a stagecoach inside, and had glass windows and padded seats with arm rests. It had more leg room and the seats were more spacious than the other compartments and was also furthest from the wheels, so the occupants had a very smooth ride.

The second class passengers had a simpler compartment and less leg room. Partly because there was little or no difference between the second and either the first or third class, the second class almost completely disappeared from trains in Britain.

Third class passengers had a compartment with the simplest fittings and fixtures and the least leg room. However, it was relatively luxurious compared to the earlier third class carriages, which were cramped, and had hard, wooden seats, and had no roof. Since the carriages <sic>was</sic> located over the wheels, the occupants had a very bumpy, noisy ride indeed.

page 13 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="13">

<gap desc="figure">

First <UNCLEAR>

Mouse-eye view of a 3rd class carriage

<gap desc="figure">

Two carriage keys

<gap desc="figure">

A pair of ticket clippers

page 14 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="14">

Freight trains

The earliest trains were always freight trains that carried loads of coal or mineral ore. At first, these trains were limited to only being able to pull two or three simple wagons hauled by a horse. However, as steam locomotives began to <reg>develop</reg>, far longer trains could be operated, and at higher speed too, making rail freight more and more economical and efficient. As the railway network developed, similar trains were used to move raw materials to the <reg>factories</reg> and distribute the finished products.

In the early days, all freight trains were very slow because their braking system was exceedingly primitive, and could not stop the train fast enough in an emergency. Technical <reg>developments</reg> since then now mean that freight trains can run at up to 62 mph, (100 Kph).

Much of the freight traffic in Britain was made up of coal trains. For many years coal was carried in simple wagons, owned by individual coal mines, that had a capacity of 10 tons. The wagons were usually automatically loaded from above, but they often had to be unloaded by workers with shovels.

page 15 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<gap desc="figure">

A Brake van

<gap desc="figure">

A <sic>taillight</sic>

Modern battery version

<gap desc="figure">

A <reg>shunter's</reg> pole

used for coupling trains

page 16 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="16">

Making Tracks

Railway lines have always been of fundamental importance to the history of trains, mainly because they are what makes railways different from roads. Rails were used to guide loaded wagons long before the steam locomotive came along.

However, the early cast-iron rails were easily broken. It was not until <reg>strong</reg> rails were available that the full potential of the steam locomotives could be exploited. Cast-iron rails were replaced by stronger, rolled wrought-iron rails, and since the 1870's by steel which scarcely wears down. Tracks are constantly being improved to meet the requirements of heavier, faster <sic>train</sic>. For a smoother ride, most main lines also have <reg>continuously</reg> welded rails, instead of the jointed short lengths which gave rise to the once familiar "clickety-click" of a train journey.

The distance between the rails is known as gauge and varies around the world. Many railways, <reg>especially</reg> those with difficult terrain to cross, have narrow gauge lines which are cheaper and faster to lay and maintain.

page 17 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="17">

<gap desc="figure">

A saddle-backed or barlow rail, used on broad gauge track from 1849

<gap desc="figure">

G.N.R.

80 lbs rail

December 1870

Ball headed rail, 1870.

Rail sections

Railway engineers <reg>experimented</reg> with many shapes and sizes of rail before they came up with the best model, called a Flat-bottomed rail.

Here are some of the <reg>designs</reg> they tried.

<gap desc="figure">

L .+ , Y.R.

STORES DEPT.

1884

Flat-bottomed rail, 1849.

page 18 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="18">

Signals

Train drivers are faced with a huge number of signals as they travel along the line, and without them, they run the risk of collision, which is what often happened when railways were just beginning. At first the drivers obeyed hand signals given by police-men, who wore arm bands and carried decorated batons in case they ran into trouble. Later on mechanical signals were invented, and these imitated the same hand signals. As train engines and brakes improved, and thus the average speed rose, it was obvious that more sophisticated signals and equipment <sic>was</sic> needed to improve the <reg>safety</reg> of railways. Then, in the 1920's, electric coloured lamps were invented. They could be used in night or day time, and were also easier to see from a great distance, because they were far more powerful than the early oil lamps. These are now used and positioned carefully on all main lines. The signals, and the points, are controlled from the signal box, which at one time was a building by the <reg>railway's</reg> side, and <sic>and</sic> on the <sic>the</sic> first floor <sic>was</sic> a lot of windows to see what was coming, and a lot of hand-operated levers, that the signalman pulled and pushed to control the signals and points. <reg>Nowadays</reg> though, <reg>there's</reg> just a big computer somewhere doing it.

page 19 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="19">

<gap desc="figure">

Stop

Proceed with caution

All Clear

<gap desc="figure">

A signal at the East Lancs Railway

page 20 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="20">

Famous People

A selection of four famous men in the railway business.

Bullied, O.V.S.

Chief mechanical engineer, Southern Railway, 1938-47; formerly assistant to Chief Mechanical Engineer, L.N.E.R. (Sir Nigel Gresley, q.v.). Introduced multiple jet blast-pipes on existing S.R. passenger locomotives. Designer of "Merchant Navy" and "West country" classes of air-smoothed 4-6-2; also the "Q.1" austerity general service 0-6-0. Introduced plastic-panelled luggage vans and experimental double-decked coaches for suburban services. He also designed experimental double ended 'leader' class tank engine, with sleeve valves; five of these were built, but were not up to standard.

Gresley, Sir Nigel

Chief Mechanical Engineer, in the London and North-Eastern Railway, from 1923 to 1941; before that, he was a locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Engineer, for the great Northern Railway, from 1911 = 1922. Sir <reg>Nigel's</reg> engines will always be famous; among their achievements is the world speed record with steam of 126 M.p.h. with the engine "Mallard". Died in 1941 while still in office.

"Raleigh", Matthew

Matthew was Locomotive Superintendent in the Midland Railway from 1844 to 1873. At the age of 13!! He began on the <reg>Stockton</reg> and Darlington and was then a fireman on the London and Birmingham. He became Locomotive <reg>superintendent</reg> on its formation in 1844. He comes from the same area as my great-granddad, and that is the county Durham. No proof of relation with me, but it is definitely possible, although unlikely I am his direct <reg>descendent</reg>.

Stanier, Sir William A.

Worked as a Chief Mechanical Engineer for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway from 1932 to 1944; and before that on the G.W.R.. Served on two important missions to Indian Railways; and in World War Two he served <sic>a</sic> scientific adviser to the Ministry Of Production. He died in 1966 at the age of 89.

page 21 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="21">

<gap desc="imported material">

page 22 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="22">

<sic>Funpage</sic>

Some questions to make the grey matter spurt out of your ears in <sic>twinstreams</sic> ...

1. In what year did Richard Trevethick build Catch-me-who-can?

2. Who built Puffing Billy?

3. In what year were the Rain Hill Trials held?

4. When was the first Diesel engine demonstrated?

5. In the Rain Hill Trials, which locomotive won?

6. Does a diesel engine drive the wheels directly?

Is the hydraulic-powered tilting device used on the italian railway.

8. The immediate and long-term future of the railway looks bad. True or False?

9. The First Class carriages were furthest away from the wheels. True or False?

10. <reg>Freight</reg> trains can run at up to 62 mph. True or False?

Crossword

Words

Freight

Steam

Locomotive

Engine

Truck

Diesel

Electric

Carriage.

Brakes

Signal

<gap desc="wordsearch">

page 23 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="23">

Trains For Fun

Almost immediately after steam engines were pulling passenger trains, model makers started building models of them. These ranged from simple little affairs to the scaled-down models, that looked like a real one had been shrunk. These, however, were pushed, and later on had clockwork, but had no steam power themselves. Later on after that, they got a bit bigger and could pull people along, by real steam power, when they sat on little seats on wheels. My grandfather makes steam everything. However, he only has three things that I know for sure work; a traction engine, a remote-controlled steam boat, and a car, that runs on electricity, and is shaped like a Land Rover. It can carry two children at a time. He has a <reg>whole</reg> shelf of <sic>bit</sic> of little <sic>model</sic> that don't go on steam.

The earliest toy trains were made of flat pieces of lead, but this was replaced by wood, and by the end of the first half of the 19th century, this was replaced by tin-plate trains running on rails, driven by clockwork, then electricity. It is around the 1900's that the sort <NOTE desc="word/s missing?"> steam engines you used to be able to see at steam town which are the sort can pull people. The demand grew and grew, and even 3D cardboard or plastic put-'em-together-yourself models were being made, to satisfy the <reg>public's</reg> raging hunger. Even today, some people have electric toy trains, like <sic>ski-electric</sic>, or whatever <reg>it's</reg> called. I've got a 5-year old set, with modern tankers and that, but baby-toy plastic <reg>lines</reg>, and a Thomas the Tank engine clockwork model. It got lost a while ago ... I wonder where it is?

(down the toilet... not!)

page 24 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="24">

Accidents Will Happen

Here <sic>is</sic> a couple of railway accidents:

Grantham: Great Northern Railway: 6 Sept. 1906

The 8:45 passenger and mail train was coming from King's Cross to the north, and was due to stop at Grantham. However, for an unknown reason, the driver went straight through the station, past several signals that were at danger, and then he took the junction on to the Nottingham line at high speed, much too fast for the turn, and the tender derailed, first and many of the coaches were destroyed in the fire that broke out. They could find no reason <reg>for</reg> the driver doing what he did. 14 people were killed altogether; including the fireman and the driver.

Wellingborough: Midland Railway: 2 sept. 1898.

In this accident, a barrow fell onto the line from Wellingborough station platform around the time a fast express from London to Manchester was due. Despite all the efforts of two porters, there was not enough time to haul the barrow from the line and when the express hit it, it derailed its front bogey. It carried on for a bit, then at a cross at the end of the platform, it derailed completely. 7 people were killed.

page 25 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="25">

Answers to <sic>Funpage</sic>

1. 1808

2. William Hedley.

3. 1929.

4. The Rocket, designed by George Stevenson.

5. 1893.

6. No.

7. Yes.

8. False.

9. True.

10. True.

Crossword

<gap desc="wordsearch">

page 26 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="26">

Six Photos I Took On My Trip To The East Lancs Railway

<gap desc="figure">

<gap desc="figure">

<gap desc="figure">

page 27 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="27">

<gap desc="figure">

<gap desc="figure">

<gap desc="figure">

page 28 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="28">

Into the Future

Over the years, railways have proved their worth in so many <sic>area</sic> that their future is secured. New types of trains and tracks are being developed, and existing equipment is constantly being improved. Apart from railways easing the level of traffic in <reg>cities</reg>, new and existing railways provide swift, safe, convenient and comfortable cross-country transport. New, faster, more comfortable trains are being introduced in several countries in Europe and Asia. For even more passenger comfort tilting high-speed trains can be used on more traditional lines. Tilting is when a high speed train goes round a curve, and a hydraulic mechanism tilts it over slightly. These trains have been introduced on the Italian railway.

Rail freight trains have lost money due to road transport, but the benefits to the <reg>environment</reg> and city congestion, together with the improved rail techniques for carrying freight by rail promise to halt these losses. In cities, electrical trains are being introduced. The future of the railway looks very good indeed.

page 29 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="29">

<gap desc="figure">

B.A.A.

Gatwick

Gatwick train

Runs on rubber wheels, and is guided by a central steel rail, which also carries power.

<gap desc="figure">

Prototype model of Inter-Capitals Supertrain

page 30 [ next page ] [ previous page ] [ ER6.2 index ]

<chpb desc="30">

Acknowledgements or Bibliography

Thank you very much; Mum and Dad, and, the PUBLIC LIBRARY!! Also my book shelf.

Bibliography

</text>