BALDWIN ENGINE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue X, 7 September 1895, Page 295

BALDWIN ENGINE.

Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company’s ij compound consolidation locomotive, No. 13, which is illustrated in this issue is one of a new type recently imported from the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia, a patent of Mr Vauclain’s their superintendent. It is the first compound locomotive that has been used in this country, and so far has proved a great success, shewing a considerable saving in fuel over simple engines doing the same work. It is used to work the heavy grades between Wellington and Paikakariki, where there is a very heavy traffic. The compound locomotive differs from the simple in having four cylinders instead of two, one arranged horizontally above the other on each side. Their piston rods are attached to one crossbeam, and the valve chest is placed between the frames, and one piston valve distributes steam to both the high and the low pressure cylinders. An emergency valve is fitted by means of which high pressure steam can be admitted to the low pressure cylinder when desired. This gives the driver command of a great increase of power, which he can use

if necessary, to start a heavy train. The load hauled in ordinary service on a tin 40 grade is 155 tons, and on a rin 56 grade 245 tons. Considerably greater loads were hauled when comparative tests were being made by Mr Fulton (the manager of the Company) between the compound and simple locomotives. The economy in fuel amounts to 25 per cent, over simple engines doing the same work.