POWER - The Story of the Locomotive

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia

Power - The Story of the Locomotive presents a vivid, first-person style account of a Pennsylvania Railroad passenger engine in the erecting shops in Philadelphia (1928). The narrative emphasizes the locomotive’s “reserve power,” describing its massive proportions, smooth movement, and ease of operation from the cab. It highlights key mechanisms such as brakes, throttle, valve, gauges, and reversing equipment, then contrasts motion without jolts or strain with the engine’s impressive capability. The text connects the engine’s design simplicity to decades of escalating locomotive study and power development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time39 min

AccessFree to download

RESTRICTIONS ON USE:

TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA

IMAGE PLACEMENT

REDUCTION RATIO

FILM SIZE

DATE FILMED

POWER

A Thrilling Experience

No Jar, No Jerk

A Woman's Touch

Constant Growth of Power

97-84082-8Woods,Katherine Power Philadelphia1928 # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD 308ZWoods,Ynhorino Irvin,1886- Box 281 Porer,the story of the locono,ive,by Knt,JerineWools.Philnrlelyhia,Pny1mana railroad,1378.38 p. illu·19 cm。76SF3CJ Nyt Reproductions may not be made without permisslon trom Columbia University Librares. ## RESTRICTIONS ON USE: # TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA 10:/ IB IMAGE PLACEMENT:IA IB REDUCTION RATIO: FILM SIZE: 35mm DATE FILMED: 5-9-97INITIALS: 照 TRACKING\#: 24252 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. # D POWER THE STORY OF THELOCOMOTIVE 308 cx 28 PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD 100 This book is due two weeks from the last date stampedbelow,and if not returned at or before that time a fine of че сепга дау чтШ Ье псйггед. POWERhe Story gf theLocomotive | 37 | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | KatherineWoods PENNSYLVANIARAILROADPhiladelphia,Pa·1928 ## POWER The Story of the Locomotive THERE it stood—a fiery,steel thoroughbred withonly a lazy breathing to indicate the pent-upurge in its heart of fre.The long streamlines ofits body,black and shining,its driving rods of bur-nished steel,the golden outline of its spokes,thehaughty thrust of its pilot—here was the perfect ex-pression of power,of power in reserve. 3∩ Here was one of the newest types of passenger en-gines for the Pennsylvania Railroad's limited expresstrains,its glistening coat hardly dry. It was enormous as it towered above us in the erect-ing shops.They told us that the length of its driving-wheel base alone was almost fourteen feet,that a manwho measured six feet barefooted could wear hisboots and his highest hat and still stroll uprightthrough that giant boiler To look at this breathing monster of steel was torealize that it could do almost anything without effort,that in its regular way it would always move alongeasily,and that if by any chance it was obliged to go faster—much faster--it would merely move along aseasily to a quicker pace.And since after all it is apassenger locomotive,and not the living creature one'simagination sees,this effect of ease in its magnificentreserve power means smooth,quiet,secure speed forits passengers. A Thrilling Experience . It stood there—huge,mighty,motionless,a thrill-ing thing.From behind me came the casual voice ofthe assistant superintendent: "It’s ready to leave the shop now.Would you liketo drive it out?” [4] “Me?”I echoed,“Me?”I am a small person,andno athlete.“Do you mean that I can drive it out?”The little group of men laughed pleasantly. “Certainly,”answered the assistant superintendent.“Here,I'll help you climb into the cab....” "It is one of the mightiest things in existence.Doyou mean to say that I could drive this engine?” "Try it and see,"said one of the men;and I climbedinto the cab.... A neat little place,this.They showed me the twosets of brakes,just at the engineman's right hand;theingenious little instrument that forces the water intothe boiler.They showed me the gauges and all thedifferent pieces of locomotive mechanism;and thenthey showed me the throttle and the valve.I sat inthe fireman's seat,and in the engineman's seat,andI thought of the Broadway Limited driving throughthe night,and saw in my mind the two men"picking upthe signals”in the dark.Then, “Put your hand here,”in-structed the assistant superin-tendent.“So.That's right.One of us will attend to the re-verse valve.There—just pullthe throttle... That'sright!” Somewhere in that giant body [5] there was a gentle swishing sound.Ever so softly thegreat creature moved,bre

FAQs

What does the text emphasize about the locomotive’s power?

It frames the engine as a “fiery, steel thoroughbred” whose power is held in reserve. The locomotive moves easily, quietly, and smoothly, even when needing to go faster.

What experience does the narrator describe in the locomotive cab?

The narrator is invited to drive the engine out of the erecting shop and learns key controls, including brakes, the reverse valve, the throttle, and related mechanisms.

How does the text explain why the ride is smooth?

It stresses there is “No Jar, No Jerk,” meaning the engine starts, stops, and backs without jolts, strain, or effort.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia