Category Archives: 5AT

Compound Locomotives

Compound Locomotives by J.T. van Riemsdijk Compound Locomotives – An International Survey Van Riemsdyk, J.T., “Compound Locomotives”, published by Atlantic Transport Publishers, UK, 1994, ISBN 090689961 3, 140 pages 275 x 220mm. The following description is copied from the fly-leaf of the book: Compounding, the use of the same charge of steam by expanding it […]

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Camels and Cadillacs

“Camels and Cadillacs” by Phil Girdlestone Girdlestone P., Camels and Cadillacs – A History of the South African Railways 25 Class Condensers and 25NC 4-8-4s, publ. Stenvalls, 2014. 160 pages A4 (297 x 210mm). Phil Girdlestone’s long awaited book has been published by Stenvalls and can be purchased from the publisher in Sweden (info@stenvalls.com) or […]

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Bulleid and the Turf Burner

“Bulleid and the Turf Burner and other Experiments with Irish Steam Traction“ by Ernie Shepherd.  KRB Publications, 2004 ISBN 0954203585. Bulleid’s Irish “Turf Burner” is often dismissed as a failure alongside his better known Leader Class engines.  However Bulleid applied to the Turf Burner the lessons that he learned from his Leader experiments and in […]

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Broader than Broad

Broader than Broad – by Robin Barnes “Broader than Broad” by Robin Barnes – Published 2012 by Camden Miniature Steam Services review by Chris Newman Whilst departing slightly from this website’s theme of “modern steam”, this book tells the story in words and pictures, of what (had it been built) would have been the most […]

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Advanced Steam Loco Development

Advanced Steam Locomotive Development – Three Technical Papers Porta L.D., Advanced Steam Locomotive Development – Three Technical Papers, published by Camden Miniature Steam, 2006, ISBN978-0-9547131-5-7. A4-size, 100 pages. The book is rare if not unique in publishing papers by the great Argentinean steam locomotive engineer Livio Dante Porta (1922 – 2003) who took over the […]

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The 5AT – Introduction

The 5AT – A Modern High Performance Steam Locomotive The 5AT is an all-new high-performance steam locomotive concept for the haulage of charter and “cruise” trains on today’s congested rail networks in the UK and Western Europe. The 5AT’s design will incorporate ‘state of the art’ steam locomotive technology that will guarantee a level of performance far […]

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Detail Design

Detail Design The Fundamental Design Calculations for the 5AT locomotive, completed in 2005, provide the basis upon which the Detailed Design work will be undertaken. The Detail Design will be the most difficult and demanding component of any new locomotive project.  The work will involve the engineering calculations and preparation of the detailed drawings of each and […]

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Notes on FDC 18

Notes on FDC 18 – Performance Predictions In this retrospective set of calculations, Wardale (with the assistance of Dr David Pawson) used two software packages, Perform and Perwal written by Professor W. Hall to produce performance predictions for the 5AT and compares the results with his own hand calculations. Wardale introduces the calculations with a […]

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Notes on FDC 13

Notes on FDC 13 – Spring Rigging The following notes by David Wardale introduce the calculations for the locomotive’s suspension: Since the steam era there have been changes made to railway vehicle suspension. However the steam locomotive is different in a number of ways from other railway vehicles, e.g. (i) in its chassis layout, with […]

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Notes on FDC 11

Notes on FDC 11 – Boiler Strength Calculations The following note appears towards the end of the boiler strength calculations: The 5AT boiler will therefore be approximately 1,4 metric tons lighter than that of the BR 5MT using either type A or type E superheater elements. This reduction in mass, despite an increase in pressure […]

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Notes on FDC 12

Notes on FDC 12 – Exhaust System The following note by David Wardale introduces the calculations for the exhaust system: The exhaust system, dynamically connecting the boiler and cylinders, is thermodynamically the heart of the locomotive and must therefore be as good as possible, within practical limitations. That the exhaust entrains sufficient combustion air to […]

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Notes on FDC 9

Notes on FDC 9 – Feedwater Heating The following notes by David Wardale precede the calculations for feedwater heating, and are reproduced here for the benefit of those who are interested: (9.1) The overall feedwater heating system on the 5AT is as follows: (1) A ‘hot well’ and auxiliary heater in the tender. The hot […]

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