In today's world,,for those of you who are running steam,,either in the tourist,railroad or the excurison's I have a question which type of locomotive valve gear,,,is the easierest to maintain,,,,,,WALSCHAERTS OR BAKER VALVE GEAR....


cprh1b@attbi.com

The Baker valve gear has all pivotal joints and is much easier to maintain than Walschaerts. The link and link block of the Walschaerts are exposed to the elements and subject to ware where the Baker's working surfaces are all round and typically used sealed needle bearings.
Roger Mitchell
Master Mechanic
Fort Collins Municipal Railway

n0mcr@netzero.net

Walschearts is far simpler, has fewer moving parts, is easier to set and easier to keep set, and much easier and cheaper to maintain.

> Walschearts is far simpler, has fewer moving
> parts, is easier to set and easier to keep
> set, and much easier and cheaper to
> maintain.
Actually setting instructions for the Walschearts and Baker valve gear are exactly the same and it is much easier to machine pins and bushings than it is to re-machine the radius of the link and manufacture a new link block of the Walschearts. Cutting the radius' on the Walschearts requires a mill with a large rotary table. I know that because I have done it many times. Making renewal parts for the Baker valve gear only requires a lathe. The Baker valve gear also runs much longer between overhauls than the Walschearts. Thats why many of the later steam locomotives had them. The Baker gear may look more complicated, but is not.
Roger Mitchell
Master Mechanic
Fort Collins Municipal Railway


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n0mcr@netzero.net