(Gallery Has Twelve Pictures)	Go to Top

This steam engine is not only huge but also incredibly complex. It takes a lot to control a behemoth like this, both to make it go and also to make it stop.

This early steam engine, on the other hand has several controls, but is much simpler.

Steam engines often have automated controls, such as the brass safety on the left, elegantly mounted amidst concentric circles. They also have manual valves, such as the one on the right.

There are many automated tubes and valves ... this tangle of tubes and valves is an engineer's heaven.

Trains are also highly dependent on good lubrication, and consequently, this automated valve oiler is important.

These elaborate and colorful setups demonstrate control systems in locomotives, especially braking systems, which depend on hydraulics for control. I suppose you could learn something by studying these demonstrations.

This smaller pipes provide hydraulic controls in the locomotive.

The control pipes are small, but a locomotive also features huge pipes for funneling the mighty power of the steam engine.

These covers and controls belong to a diesel engine that was on display in the repair house.