I am trying to find out more about power reversers used on steam locomotives in UK, if anyone can point towards diagrams and explanations, particularly of how the controls were operated by the driver, I would be grateful.
So far I have been made aware of three main variations, two of which are described briefly in Hodgson's book on locomotive management.
1. James Stirling's "steam and cataract" steam reverser. First used on GSWR in 1873, later used on SER, SECR, SR, and also on NER and GCR.
The driver had two controls, the mini reversing lever and also a combined steam and cataract valve (rotary). How were these used to adjust the cut-off?
2. Drummond's steam reverser. First used by Dugald Drummond in 1903 on LSWR. Was this the same as the steam reverser introduced by Peter Drummond on the Highland Railway in 1900?
There is a brief description of operation here: https://janfordsworld.blogspot.com/2017/09/on-footplate-drummond-t9.html
Does anyone know more of how this one works?
3. GER compressed air assisted reverser. When was this introduced? Which locos were fitted with this? Hodgson says the controls could be used manually or power assisted. Was there any difference in the way that the controls were used between manual operation and power assisted operation?
So far I have been made aware of three main variations, two of which are described briefly in Hodgson's book on locomotive management.
1. James Stirling's "steam and cataract" steam reverser. First used on GSWR in 1873, later used on SER, SECR, SR, and also on NER and GCR.
The driver had two controls, the mini reversing lever and also a combined steam and cataract valve (rotary). How were these used to adjust the cut-off?
2. Drummond's steam reverser. First used by Dugald Drummond in 1903 on LSWR. Was this the same as the steam reverser introduced by Peter Drummond on the Highland Railway in 1900?
There is a brief description of operation here: https://janfordsworld.blogspot.com/2017/09/on-footplate-drummond-t9.html
Does anyone know more of how this one works?
3. GER compressed air assisted reverser. When was this introduced? Which locos were fitted with this? Hodgson says the controls could be used manually or power assisted. Was there any difference in the way that the controls were used between manual operation and power assisted operation?