One for all you valve gear geeks.

This is Baker valve gear, designed by the same A. D. Baker responsible for the efficient Baker Uniflow steam traction engines, manufactured in Swanton, Ohio.

One of the advantages of the Baker gear is that there are no sliding elements, as found on Walschaerts and Stephenson gear, and the Woolf gear found on most steam traction engines. The downside was that many railroads didn't want to pay royalties on the Baker - Pilliod patents, despite the better efficiency and maintainability.

Cruising forward, the reverse lever is nearly in the company notch, for minimum steam consumption. A small wisp of steam is admitted to the cylinders, and allowed to expand for most of the piston stroke. Preparing to stop, at 2:10, the reverse lever is advanced to full forward gear, and power maintained to keep the train stretched out while stopping with the train brakes.

After stopping, control of the air brakes is shifted to the pullback diesel, the reverse lever is moved to full reverse gear, and a small amount of throttle applied, to provide cylinder lubrication, and to prevent vacuum drag in the cylinders.

At 5:47, the feedwater heater cold water supply turbopump below the front of the firebox is started, with its characteristic whistle and plume of steam.

Mary shot 2/3 of this video, and Dave shot 1/3.

Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
October 4, 2015
#533
Panasonic FZ1000

151004h 765 CVSR Pace