Steam Locomotive Drive Wheels and Rods

[tdesantis88]

What are the things on the wheels opposite of the side rods? Are they weights? Do they balance the weight of the sire rods or are they heavier than the side rods so when they come down, it helps the rods go back forward for the piston to go in? also how does the reversing rod work?

 

[narrowgauge]

The things you mention are balance weights designed to balance the rotating forces of the coupling and connecting rods. Without them the out-of-balance forces would hammer the wheels and track.
Piston to wheel = coupling rod. Wheel to wheel = Connecting rod.

The reversing lever works by varying the steam admission timing and thus controlling the speed. Direction is controlled when the lever is moved to the reverse position which changes the admission timing. Steam-in becomes steam-out and the wheel rotation reverses.

Peter

 

[tdesantis88]

thanks! That's a question my friend and I have been trying to solve