John, I really appreciate these informative posts of yours. Question, any idea why the 'connecting rod' on the front tender truck in this photo. Was it somehow powered too?
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| Posted by FSWood on November 28, 2023 | |
I'm not John but I know the answer, yes, it is powered, "Booster trucks" were a thing. The powering steam cylinders can be seen extending aft of truck sideframe & note lighter toned conical shapes of flexible steam pipe connections to those cylinders.
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Thanks Mr. Wood! I thought I knew trains quite well until I saw that. I see what you're saying and appreciate your comment.
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| Posted by FSWood on November 29, 2023 | |
Welcome. There were also booster trucks for locomotive itself for wheel arrangements which had a trailing truck under the firebox. Some examples can be found via searching two wheel Franklin booster truck & four wheel of the same. In the 1890s there were even some locomotives, primarily European, which had boosters in the form of smaller diameter powered drivers inserted between main driving wheels and pilot truck. Steam locomotive history truly fits the famous saying "There's a prototype for everything."
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