Railway

Railway

Relating to the infrastructure developed for the transport of trains.

Industry: Transportation

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Railway

Brasses

Transportation; Railway

UK railway slang for the bearings on locomotives such as the big ends etc.

Said to have been first tried in 1841 by an engineer named Hall as a way of obtaining smokeless combustion of coal. Previously, engines had burned coke or (in the US) wood. It is also said to have ...

Bissel truck

Transportation; Railway

A two-wheeled truck designed to allow radial movement, where the pivot point was in rear of the axle. Usually fitted at the leading end of a locomotive. It first appeared in the US in 1858.

Blast pipe

Transportation; Railway

The pipe which carries the exhaust steam from the cylinders to the centre of the smokebox. It is positioned below the chimney so as to allow the exhaust steam to escape directly and create the ...

Blast pipe, variable

Transportation; Railway

A variable blast pipe was introduced in 1839. It consisted of a cone fitted inside the blast pipe which was operated from a lever in the cab. Various manual systems were tried during the mid and late ...

Blower

Transportation; Railway

A means of providing a draught for the fire when no exhaust is available. A pipe takes live steam to a 'blower ring' usually fitted to the top of the blast pipe or the base of the chimney. The blower ...