(Gallery Has Three Pictures)	Go to Top

Cranks are people who are extremely unpleasant to be around, but on a train, they are the shakers and movers. Piston rods and coupling rods connect to wheels to turn them like cranks to make the train go. The knob on top is where much needed lubricant is injected.

This close-up shows the castle nut that binds the piston rod to the wheel. Note the cotter pin that ensures that the nut does not loosen.

On most locomotives, the pistons go back and forth. On this locomotive, the pistons instead go up and down, but the mechanics are still the same.