Does anyone have a good book they can recommend to me so I can get smarter on what parts are called? I do have some time on my hands over the next few months ;).

Thanks.

Steve,

Get yourself a copy of a locomotive cyclopedia. The local big bookstores sometimes have them in stock. These books are huge and have tons of info that you are looking for. Lots of drawings and part names too.

Bruce

Thanks Bruce!

Perhaps you have already checked it out, but in case not...
Wikipedia has quite a detailed article about steam locos and appliances. There are also links to parts and appliances that take you to an article about them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_locomotive

Bill

If you can find a copy cheap, I could recommend "The Steam Locomotive Its Theory, Operation and Economics Including Comparisons with Diesel-Electric Locomotives by Ralph P. Johnson (Chief Engineer, Baldwin Locomotive Works), 1942-1945 (various editions and updates, including at least one reprint in 1981). Be warned that it's really and truly a mechanical engineering textbook, not a "Steam for Dummies" book. How advanced do you want to go?

"Cheap" is relative; I snared my copy as a Christmas present ages ago, and Amazon dealers are asling $200-400 for even reprints.

If you can handle British railway jargon, two books from Britain are excellent: "How to Drive a Steam Locomotive" by Brian Hollingsworth (1979 and 1987 editions), and "The Engine Driver's Manual: How to Prepare, Fire and Drive a Steam Locomotive" by Brian Topping (1998-99). Those can be had cheap on Amazon and through other dealers.

About 15 years ago, Lindsay reprinted the 1892 edition of Meyer's MODERN LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION which is a wealth of very good US practice information. While some technological advancements probably were made between 1890 and when your locomotive was built, it will very likely answer about 99 percent of your questions. Might search the used book lists and see if you can find one.

dave

.

Thanks everyone.

My recommendations, more or less in order of preference:

PRR Firemen's Mechanical Examinations Q&A booklet from the 40's. For a smallish book, it is profusely illustrated and a surprisingly thorough overview with very concise explanations. In my opinion, it's probably one of the best starting places. It used to posted on line for free viewing (and printing, I guess), but I can't find the link at the moment. You might also luck upon a copy on e-bay or in a used bookstore, if you have to have an orignal hard copy.

The ICS books are fabulous and highly recommended by most, if not all. They are also well-illustrated and contain more detailed explanations. The thing is, if you want to know about injectors, you gotta get the injector book. If you want to know about lubricators, you gotta get the lubricator book. It's gets to be like an addiction.

Locomotive Cyclopedias and Dictionaries are good, too, but reasonably priced copies are a matter of luck -- even reprints. In fact, if you come across an affordable Cyclopedia from the late 30's or early 40's, that's not falling apart, let me know. Reprints are fine.

I think Basic Steam Locomotive Maintenance is still around. This is the Railway Education Bureau's version of the ICS Steam correspondence courses. If I'm not mistaken, REB is still around and you can still take a steam and other correspondence courses through them, if your feeling particulary ambitions. I think Simmons Boardman is their parent company, and S-B still publishes numerous RR books, both heritage and current. I like ICS much better, but this is a pretty good book as well, and is probably easier to find and perhaps more affordable.

Grimshaw's and Forney's Catechisms are interesting books, but are also not good as ICS, IMHO. Swingel, Chas. McShane, and Angus Sinclair also put some good books out back then that frequently pop up on e-bay at reasonable prices.

Alfred Bruce put out a book in the 50's that's a pretty decent overview of the technological evolution or development of steam locomotives in the US from about 1900 to the 50's.

The Johnson book is a great book and has some very interesting info, but I would not necessarily consider it a beginner's book. That's just my opinion. And, as stated previously, it's another one that's hard to find reasonably priced.

If anyone is interested Powels technical bookstore in Portland OR. had a couple of the Lindsay MODERN STEAM LOCOMOTIVE CONSTRUCTION books on the shelf last april.
I think they were asking the Lindsey list price for them.

BTW if your ever in PDX, its worth a visit...but leave yor CC/$$$ in the car!!!!!

C W

Here's a link to the PRR Firemen's book from the 40's. Good stuff, and the price is right.

[urlhttp://prr.railfan.net/documents/MachineryExaminationsForLocomotiveFiremen-1949.pdf][/url]

Try it again.

http://prr.railfan.net/documents/Machin ... n-1949.pdf

Simmons Boardman reprinted Johnson's book, The Steam Locomotive,l about two years ago at a relatively reasonable price, about $60. Sure beats the inflated, "collectible" price of the used versions.

A new book is also worthy of consideration as a beginning text - How A Stem Locomotive Works, by Karen Parker. Good basic explanation of all the components with illustrations, plus more technical information in the sidebars. Available from TLC Publishing for about $30.

This book has been reviewed by Ed King in the latest issue of Trains mag.