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Re: (erielack) Air pump placement

	SGL , List


	That was not meant as a flame as I respect your
opinion on most things and offer corrections where
warrented and "challenges" where further curiousity is
peaked. Consider it a demure demur ! ( Modest in
manner, appologetic)(to take objection)

	My post wasn't as clear as it should have been so for
clarification.

	Westinghouse service books lists crosscompound pumps
at weights between 1750 to 2450 pounds, dependent upon
which model and setup is applied, Worthington Hot
water pumps are listed at 1875 pounds. I don't have
exact weights for power reverser units or brackets,
but the size is about the same.

	So in the case of 4449 you have a combined total of
roughly 6300 pounds on the left verses say 2000 pounds
on the right. Brackets are easily 500 pounds a piece x
3 for the left and about the same for the right ( a
much bigger bracket to hold the reverse gear to
disperse the weight and stress created by the direct
linkage to the valve motion while attached to the
boiler). You are still  about 4000 pounds heavier on
left side.

	Even on Erie engines that had only one side mounted
air pump and one power reverse equalling the weight,
most still had an Elesco pump on the left side also.
The sheer physical space and the mechanics limited
anything from being monted to the boiler on the
righthand side below the running boards other than an
air tank.

	While you are correct that a properly Trammed and
equallized engine is easier on trackwork and most
importantly on the running gear of the locomotive
itself.Considered a black science in the backshops,
guys that were good at it rarely gave up thier
secrets. BUt one of the first things they did was take
a locomotive out onto a turntable or transfer table
(generally regarded as the stifist, most leveland
flatest section of track on any railroad) and measure
the distances or everything including frame distance
off the railhead in multiple locations.Then while
tramming ( making sure all drivers,rod motion,
pistons, valves,and engine trucks are a square 90
degrees and parallel to each other) and equallizing
(adjusting the spring rigging to the frame and trucks
to even out the axle loading) shims are placed to
adjust the engine to "Run true". Also because a
locomotive on average is 1.5 times as tall as it is
wide, shimming the spring rigging can very quickly
transfer weight due to the high center of gravity. And
still the overall weight of the engine verses the
imballance is so great. One way to look at it is do
you feel the differecne in the way your car handles
when you drive alone or when you have a passenger to
equalize the wieght in it.

Rich Young

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