For nearly half of the nation's history, the steam locomotive was the outstanding symbol for progress and power. It was the literal engine of the Industrial Revolution, and it played an instrumental role in putting the United States on the world stage. While the steam locomotive's basic principle of operation is simple, designers and engineers honed these concepts into 100-mph passenger trains and 600-ton behemoths capable of hauling mile-long freight at incredible speeds. American Steam Locomotives is a thorough and engaging history of the invention that captured public imagination like no other, and the people who brought it to life.

"The Most Powerful Idea in the World argues that the very notion of intellectual property drove not only the invention of the steam engine but also the entire Industrial Revolution." -- Back cover.

This is the first comprehensive history of the steam engine in fifty years. It follows the development of reciprocating steam engines, from their earliest forms to the beginning of the twentieth century when they were replaced by steam turbines.

A guide to building simple oscillating steam engine models. It describes the making of four such models: Kitty, a small overtype engine; Otto, a simple steam turbine plant; Wencelas, a superior Christmas present; and Henry a 19th-century vertical engine and boiler.

An Unabridged, Digitally Enlarged Printing With All Figures, Including, But Not Limited To: STEAM ENGINE MECHANISM - Elements Of The Steam Engine - The Four-Link Slider Crank - The Plain Slide-Valve Engine - The D Slide-Valve And Steam Distribution - Relative Position Of Valve And Piston - Effects Of Lap - Lead - Positions Of Eccentric For Opposite Directions Of Rotation - Rocker Arms - Dead Centers - Clearance - Real And Apparent Cut-Off And Ratio Of Expansion - Corliss Valve Gear - Relative Motions Of Piston, Crank, And Valves - STEAM ENGINE DESIGN - Data And Calculations - The Boiler Pressures For Different Types Of Engines - Economical Ratio Of Expansion - Piston Speed - Clearance - Engine Calculations - Back Pressure And Point Of Exhaust Closure - Calculations For Simple Non-Condensing Engine - Calculations For High-Speed Automatic Cut-Off Engine - Hoisting And Locomotive Engines - Cylinders And Steam Chests - Steam Ports And Passages - Engine Shafts And Cranks - Crankpins For Overhung Crank - Hollow Pistons - Built Up Pistons - Solid Pistons - Marine Pistons - Piston Packing - Piston Rod - Connection Of Rod To Piston - Proportions For Connecting Rods (Solid And Open) - Strap-End Connecting Rod - Crossheads - Valves, Valve Steams, And Eccentric Rods - Eccentric Sheaves And Straps - Stuffing Boxes - Engine Flywheels - Calculations For Built-Up Flywheels - Flywheel Rim Joints - Stress In Rim Flange, And In Bolts Fastening Arm To Rim - Engine Frames, Or Beds - Examples Of Engine Proportions With Tables -