Saturday, May 23, 2009

Steam Application on Railroads and Locomotives-Final Product

Origins:

The development of steam engines started in the 1700s. With these engines there were various attempts to use them in railways and railroads. But the first successful creation of a railroad was made in 1804 by a British inventor called Richard Trevithick.

Since 1829 the production of steam locomotive railroads started to be more common, they were developed in several countries. Also in United States was made the first demonstration of the steam power on locomotives, but it wasn't made for a daily and production use. The first domestic locomotive manufacturing industry was established in 1830.


After this the production of steam locomotive railroads increased, the power and the speed was better and the creation of railroads was expanded to Europe and America, replacing the transportation and communication carried by horses.


First railroad made by Richard Trevithick


DeWitt Clinton domestic locomotive

Main parts of steam locomotives' structure:

Boiler: It is a device used to create steam by applying heat energy to water, using coal. It has two main components: firebox and the smokebox.

Steam circuit: This helps the locomotive to transport the steam through all the structure.

Chassis: This is what supports the structure of the locomotive and where it is mounted.

Running Gear: This is what helps to perform the motion system.

Fuel and Water: This is what propels the locomotive's structure.

Crew: Is the staff that controls and drives the locomotive.

Blueprints of a locomotive

Changes and progresses made by the Industrial Revolution:

The industrial revolution was a period that increased the human civilization and the technology. This caused a lot of positive changes in the production of steam locomotives and railroads. The power and the speed was increased, the system and functioning of them were performed, so they could be more efficient and help the people to transport in an easier and better way. These changes improved every part of the locomotive's structure, which was a great change and revolution for the means of transport.

Last steam locomotive to be built

This amazing work was done by: Julian Restrepo, David Rodríguez, Juan Pablo Zapata, Rafael Villegas, Nicolás Rodelo, Jaime Andrés Tamayo and Tomás Giraldo.