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Modern Traction Engines
engines are made under Shuttleworth and Fletcher's
patent.
The radial valve-gear is shown by Fig. 197. A
section of the compound cylinder by Fig. 198, designed
by the writer and patented in 1899. No. 16,668.
The engine is supplied with a supplementary tank
beneath the boiler barrel, this tank is connected to the
hind tank by means of a large pipe with a cock, which
can be shut off to prevent the loss of water when
travelling up steep hills. A Worthington or other
steam pump is mounted on the tank, and draws water
from the tank for feeding the boiler. An injector is
also employed which draws its supply from the hind
tank. On this fore tank is also mounted a water-lifter
with 25 feet of hose pipe for drawing water from a river
or wayside stream into the tanks; the work of filling
both the tanks only takes a few minutes. A powerful
block-brake acts on the periphery of both the hind
driving-wheels. A slip winding-drum supplied with
75 yards of steel wire rope is mounted on the hind
axle ; the rope can be paid out as the engine travels
forward, effecting a great saving of time and labour.
The winding-drum offers the readiest means of pulling
loads out of places inaccessible to the engine, or for
hauling waggons up very steep inclines. As the engine
travels up the steep bank the rope is drawn out during
the ascent; when the engine reaches the top, the brakes
are applied and the wheels are scotched ; the engine
proceeds to haul one or more waggons up the hill, or
across a river, and then passes on the journey in the
usual manner. The driving-wheels arc 7 It. diameter,
and 2 ft. across the face ; they are built up of three steel
tee-rings with inside tire-plates and the usual diagonal
cross strips. The leading-wheels are 4 ft. 6 in. diameter,
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