Steam & Excursion > Largest cylinders on a simple locomotive?

I assume the VGN 2-10+10-2 had the
largest cykinders of any steamer, but
how about simple engines?

Simple question, and you'd think
we'd know the answer. I would have
guessed the SFe 2-10-4, but turns out
another engine beat it.
 

I would have guessed B&LE 2-10-4s. They were brutes.

jkh2cpu Wrote:
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> I would have guessed B&LE 2-10-4s. They were
> brutes.

They were copies of the CB&Q 6300 series M4 locomotives.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

31 x 32 cyl on the B&LE, so they're
about tied with the SFe 2-10-4,
in second place maybe.
 

Large pistons vary as the inverse of the boiler pressure,
or, the pressure sent to the second stage of a compound locomotive.

Large pistons also increase the mass of reciprocating engine parts..
Meaning that you can expect corresponding increases in driver counter weights,
etc., rough riding, and increased wear-rates on the entire drive-train.

Whirling, heavy counterweights are a big problem at high driver RPMs, 
and also a bigger problem, with small diameter drivers.

Large pistons don't show me much, except that they're designed for low
operating pressures, and low speeds.....

​W.