Shay Locomotive steam engine closeup

A typical steam locomotive transmits power from the boiler to its cylinders. These cylinders are on either side of the boiler and make up the steam engine that powers the driving wheels using a system of interconnected rods and cranks. This system, as applied to a railway locomotive, was initially developed in 1804 in Great Britain by Richard Trevithick. It was substantially improved in the system used by George Stephenson on his small 1829 locomotive, Rocket, the prototype for most future steam locomotives.

Canada Science and Technology Museum's Festival of Technology. Summer 2007. Courtesy Tom Alfoldi.

http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/index.cfm

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