Journal of the Institution of Locomotive Engineers Volume 21 (1931)

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Journal 100

Sanders, T.H. (Paper No. 271)
Locomotive suspension, and its influence on derailments. 133-55. Disc: 155-63; 205-15; 859-65.
Four un-nnamed accidents, but clearly including those at Sevenoaks (Maunsell River class) and Buchlyvie (Gresley N2 class). Suggested that had River class been fitted with the Zara-type of leading pony truck that the Sevenoaks accident would not have occurred. On page 863 it is noted that equalising gear was invented by R.&W. Hawthorn in 1851, but may been invented earlier in Europe, but not in America.

Windle, E. (Paper No. 272)
Some notes relating to cylinder performance. 178-97. Disc. :197-204. 7 diagrs., table.
This paper outlines the development of long lap valves on the L.N.E.R.

Sanford, D.W. (Paper No. 273)
Development of the piston valve to improve steam distribution. 217-49. Disc.: 304-10.
J. Clayton (237) noted that the Smith type used on the Midland compounds were not very steam tight. E.C. Poultney (238) supported Clayton's assertion and considered that piston valves were not suitable for low pressure cylinders.

Vallantin, R.G.E. (Paper No. 274)
Compound locomotives of the P.L.M. Rly. 252-303.
Translated from French.

Journal No. 101

Andrews, H. Ivan (Paper No. 275)
The possibility of condensing on locomotives. 336-78.  Disc.: 537-9.
The criteria were: light weight, small size, low initial cost, low maintenance, reliability, constant performance under varying conditions, low power demand for draught, adequate capacity/reserve capacity for short periods. The Cole evaporation rate should form the basis for the last-named.

Clayton, T. (Paper No. 276)
Wagon repairing by the Central Argentine Rly. 379-432.

Chambers, H. (Paper No. 277).
Improvements in water pick-up gear for locomotives. 450-64. Disc. : 464-72; 787-93 + 3 folding plates. 7 illus., 9 diagrs.
Improvements in the design to save water: invented by H. Chambers. Henry Fowler (464-5: presumably Sir Henry's son) commented upon the MR design; J. Clayton (465) noted the problem of water wastage; H. Holcroft (465-7) commented on th problems of getting rid of excess air from the tanks on tank engines and not that a new design was fitted to The Great Bear. A.M. Bell (467-8) noted that the installation of water troughs was important for operating the Norfolk Coast Express..

Journal 102

Holmes, V.W. (Paper No. 278)
A new infinitely variable poppet valve gear. 481-90. Disc.: 490-524.
One of the very few lady members of the Institution: she asserted that the use of poppet valves prevents wire drawing at admission and back pressure and exhaust. To obtain the full advantage from poppet valves, the gear should fulfil the following criteria: (1) the cut-off should be infinitely variable, not limited to a series of steps; (2) the lead should vary slightly, being greatest with early cut-offs, and least in full gear, in order to facilitate starting; (3) again to facilitate starting, the cut-off should be high in full gear; (4) the valves should open and close rapidly, and should give a good area of opening even with early cut-offs; (5) the exhaust valve timing should not be fixed, but should vary slightly with the cut-off, both releases and compression being delayed with late cut-offs; (6) the cam box should be as compact as possible, with the cam shaft not too high above the cylinder centre line; (7) the cam box should be a standard unit, capable of rapid removal and replacement by a spare box. Left and right-hand boxes should be interchangeable, and left and right-hand cylinders also should be identical; (8) the valves should be carried in cages, which should be capable of rapid removal, and (9) the control gear should be as simle as possible and minimize effort. The discussion included comment from Holcroft, Gray, Twinberrow, Baeumont and Maitland..

Kay, Walter (Paper No. 279)
Mineral oils and lubrication. 540-61. Disc.: 561-6.

Ridge, C.W. (Paper No. 280)
The behaviour of railway material in the Argentine Republic. 528-619; 657-96; 765.

Journal 103

Agnew, W.A.
Presidential Address: railway electrification. 636-56. Disc.: 1932, 22, 83-8.
P. Liddell (22: 83-5) noted the difficulties involved in electrifying from Newcastle to King's Cross and considered that the lines to Sunderland and South Shields should be electrified. A.H.T. Head (87) considered that the cost of repairs to electric locomotives would be high.

Powell-Brett, B. (Paper No. 281)
Modern drop-forging equipment and its services to the railway engineer. 697-730.

Gillvray, H.G. (Paper No. 282)
The design and equipment of a modern railway dynamometer car. 731- Disc.: 1932, 22, 249-55.
[Hydraulic type of dynamometer car for service in India]. E.W. Selby (250-2)

Journal No. 104

Hudd, A.E. (Paper No. 283)
A new system of automatic train control. 825-42. Disc.: 842-54.