These are common questions we receive and the best way to answer them is to see a steam locomotive in action! Using digital animation and NC&StL No. 576 as a model, this cut-away visual shows...

In most locomotives the steam is admitted alternately to each end of its cylinders in which pistons are mechanically connected to the locomotive's main wheels. Fuel and water supplies are usually carried …

May 16, 2023 · There are two basic areas of activity on a steam locomotive: the boiler where steam is made, and the engine (cylinders, rods, and driving wheels) where steam is used.

What Makes A Steam Locomotive Work? When heated, water turns to an invisible vapor known as steam. The volume of water expands as it turns to steam inside the boiler, creating a high pressure. …

Aug 30, 2025 · A simple introduction to steam engines, including photos and illustrations showing the parts inside and how they work.

Nov 9, 2025 · A comprehensive look at the intricate mechanical process: from generating high-pressure steam in the boiler to converting linear force into rail movement.

At the core of every steam locomotive is the boiler, essentially a massive pressure vessel. Coal, wood, or later oil was burned in the firebox, heating a network of tubes filled with water. As heat transferred …

Discover how a steam locomotive works, including its basic components, steam generation, steam power, locomotive motion, fuel, and maintenance.

Jun 19, 2025 · At their core, steam engines operate through the principles of thermodynamics, using heat to produce steam from water, which then drives locomotive pistons to generate motion. The …

A steam engine requires a combustible fuel and a supply of water. On most steam locomotives the fuel and water are carried in a separate car, the tender, behind the locomotive.