Steam Locomotive Details
The Giesl ejector gave some steam locomotives a flattened chimney
A flattened chimney can reveal a chapter in a locomotive’s working life. Follow the Giesl ejector through dated photographs and railway records.
RAILWAYS · HISTORY · DISCOVERY
Follow the line. Find the story.
Explore railway history through maps, museum objects and the places that connect them, from Montana to rail networks around the world.
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Steam Locomotive Details
A steam locomotive’s clack valve keeps boiler water from flowing back
The delivery clack is a small but important non-return valve in a steam locomotive’s water feed. Learn to distinguish its job from that of an injector.
Railway Engineering
Rail lubricators manage friction where wheel flanges meet a curve
Rail lubrication targets particular contact surfaces. Learn how gauge-face lubrication differs from top-of-rail friction management when reading railway equipment.
Railway Technology
A steam locomotive’s gauge glass made boiler water visible
A vertical glass in a steam locomotive’s cab made an otherwise hidden water level visible. Read the museum object as part of a safety-critical working system.
Railway Working History
Railway telltales warned workers before a low bridge arrived
Railway telltales used hanging elements to warn workers of low overhead structures. Read a 1923 patent and learn how to examine the evidence in old photographs.
Locomotive Technology
Climax locomotives brought geared drive to slow, demanding railway work
Explore the geared-locomotive idea through a preserved Climax engine, and learn which details connect its machinery to logging and industrial railway work.