Man on the Move

The BR Standard Class 3 2-6-2T Steam Locomotive

Since the early 19th century, steam locomotives, having become an indispensable means of public and freight transport, underwent continuous improvement. From the mid-20th century, they were gradually superseded by electric and diesel locomotives. However, there are a great many steam engines still in use today. The Standard Class steam locomotives used by British Railways were manufactured
in the 1950s and they are considered as the most sophisticated versions of steam locomotives. The BR Standard Class 3 2-6-2T steam locomotive designed by Robert Riddles was first manufactured in 1955.

We cannot underestimate the power of steam.
Although steam locomotives have lost ground, we still use
the power of steam. For example, in modern thermal power
stations, the turbines that produce electricity are powered by steam.

Fire tubes

Combustion gases produced during burning get to the smokebox through the fire tubes, then they are released through the chimney.

The steam transferred to the steam cylinder moves the piston. The cam alternately directs the steam from one side of the piston to the other, thus guaranteeing the continuous movement of the piston. The piston moves the wheels through the drive rod.

Steam output

As the smoke passes towards the chimney, it transfers heat to the water surrounding the pipes, thus producing
steam. The steam is
then transferred
to the steam engine
which drives the locomotive.

Steam locomotive classes

Locomotives are classified by their wheel configuration, using the Whyte notation.
In this notation, 2-6-2 means that the locomotive has 2 non-powered pilot
wheels in front of 6 driving wheels, followed by 2 non-powered trailing wheels.

Data:

Length: 18.29 m

Width: 2.68 m

Height: 3.96 m

Track gauge: 1435 mm

Mass: 69 tonnes