dynamometer car

This forum is for the discussion of the locomotives, motive power, and rolling stock of the LNER and its constituent companies.

Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard

Post Reply
User avatar
Cutter
LNER Thompson L1 2-6-4T
Posts: 76
Joined: Sun Oct 28, 2012 6:39 pm
Location: Massachusetts

dynamometer car

Post by Cutter »

I have yet another question, this time regarding the NER dynamometer car. Given the instruments within it, did it matter which way round the car ran in a train? In other words, were the duckets always to the rear of the vehicle in service, or did that not matter? Thanks again.
jwealleans
LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
Posts: 4208
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:46 am

Re: dynamometer car

Post by jwealleans »

I'm fairly sure one end had to be adjacent to the engine, but I don't have anything with me to check.
MikeTrice
LNER Thompson B1 4-6-0 'Antelope'
Posts: 676
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 4:45 pm

Re: dynamometer car

Post by MikeTrice »

Jonathan is correct. Bear in mind the duckets were only fitted around the time of Mallard's run. The bulges on the sides midway down the coach were flat one end and rounded the other, the rounding forming a kind of streamlining. The rounded ends always faced the locomotive in use. Likewise once the duckets were fitted they were adjacent to the locomotive.
Last edited by MikeTrice on Wed Mar 28, 2018 10:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jwealleans
LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
Posts: 4208
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:46 am

Re: dynamometer car

Post by jwealleans »

Thanks for that, Mike. I'll have to check we put the one on Grantham on the right way round now. I always make sure the (white) recording wheel is towards the public.
JASd17
LNER A3 4-6-2
Posts: 1316
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:21 pm

Re: dynamometer car

Post by JASd17 »

The car was not double ended. That is the recording drawbar gear was at one end only. Therefore it did need turning.

As has been stated.

John
Hatfield Shed
LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
Posts: 1664
Joined: Fri Dec 23, 2011 3:34 pm

Re: dynamometer car

Post by Hatfield Shed »

Although one never quite knows what the curators might do next, it has usually been possible to get a good look at the working tackle of the dynamometer car at York. Look inside on the floor, and there is the drawbar exposed below floor level, and a spring balance arrangement to assess the force exerted (drawbar pull) linked by a large upstand or bracket to a recording pen on the plotting table chart roll.

Am I alone in suspecting that this vehicle must have been fairly noisy and draughty when in action. There appear to be loose access hatches dropping into the floor over the various mechanisms, and there is a sizeable conventional radiator ahead of the plotting table, presumably to keep the chill off the 'the chaps' taking and notating the recordings.
Post Reply