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That syncopated riddum, too.

Posted by Timbo in Oz (A) on April 22, 2007 at 22:44:25

In Reply to: Re: Garratt locomotives - Yup, remember them very well... posted by DevillEars on April 22, 2007 at 22:26:28:

THE BG's made for Rhodesia and Sth Africa were I THINK the biggest ever made. One model had 78,000 lbs of tractive thrust!

For all the norte-americanos here - I believe Garratts were not common in the USA or Canada - this rare breed of locomotive has three articulated parts.

The central bit looking like an ordinray loco and two extra articulated bits t'either end where the cylinders that drive it are, IE NOT on the central chassis, the rear part is also a coal tender on some models. These articulated front and rear power units give this TYPE a couple of critical advantages.

The axle loading (ton's per two wheels) will be 'a LOT lower' than for any similarly powerful single chassis, which allows more rail roads to cope with a POWERFUL loco, and allows railway lines to use 'much' tighter radii for their curves.

Aussie and southern African Railways did/do tend to have quite steep gradients and tight curves, and lower construction costs in terms of rails and their supports:- ballast, sleepers, ties, bridges.

The Garratt was the perfect solution; very powerful, lower wear on the lines, as the mass is distributed over more wheels, and manouverable.

And they have their own unique syncopated sound, unlike any other steam locos!

I loved them, AYCPGuess!

Warmest

Timbo in Oz
The Skyptical Mensurer and Audio Scrounger

And gladly would he learn and gladly teach - Chaucer. ;-)!

'Still not saluting.'

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