German Locomotive Tests.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 10, 1 August 1906, Page 277

German Locomotive Tests.

The entire space in the June issue of the Verhandlungen dcs Verems zur Beforderung dcs Gewerfleisses is devoted to an account of the trials of three different types of locomotives at express speeds on the Hanover to Spandau Railway, over a length of 1 5 1.3 miles, more than two hours being necessary for the trip. It was felt that the former speed trials between Marienfelde and Zossen were over too short a length of line to secure accurate results in points of fuel consumption and steam-raising capacity. Even here, however, the fuel needed to get up steam was about 25 per cent, of the whole quantity used for the run. Some details in connection with the running of the Paris and Calais

express trains are discussed, and formulae „are given based on these results, obtained by four coupled, four-cylmder locomotives of the Atlantic type. The three test engines are described in detail and fully illustrated. The Hanover coupled, four-cylinder, compound Egestorf engine, No. 608, delivered in November, 1903, was in the best running condition. The Cologne Grafenstaden, No. 58, coupled, four - cylinder compound engine, built in 1902, was not in equal condition ; the tubes at the insertion into the firebox leaked badly, and certain of the axles ran hot, and other defects are enumerated. The Elberfeld coupled No. 6 engine, with steam superheat, built by Borsig in 1903, was likewise in faulty condition ; the tubes were leaky and other defects were apparent. A detail section is given of the gradients, together with a plot of the curves on the whole length of line selected for these experiments, and full particulars are given of the rails and road formation. There were 20 runs in all, 17 with trains and three light. Very searching tests and measurements here described were taken at intervals of one minute throughout the run in all cases, and the results aie plotted as graphic diagrams. External air temperature, wind force or pressure, and temperature of the feed water were likewise ascertained. The intention was to consider both the outward and homeward runs, but it was found that the period arranged for the stay at Spandau did not always suffice to execute the requisite repairs to the engines, so that only the figures on the outward trips were recorded. For various reasons only six of the runs were strictly comparable, and from these a series of tabular statements have been drawn up. The results are fully discussed from the points of view of fuel consumption, feed water supply, steam production, use of oil and grease, speed, tractile power, and vibration, and many other considerations incidentally arising are dealt with by Mr. Leitzmann in this exhaustive essay.