Braithwaite And Ericsson's "Novelty", 1829. [Boiler of "Novelty", 1829.]

The boiler of the "Novelty" comprised an upright cylindrical vessel or firebox and a horizontal barrel 15 inches in diameter and about 12 ft. long. The upright vessel enclosed a firebox surrounded by water and having a fire grate 18 inches in diameter. The ash pit was air tight, the fire being forced by air from a bellows worked by the engine. Coke was fed upon the grate through an air tight hopper descending in the centre of the upright firebox. The products of combustion were conveyed away through the horizontal barrel by means of a tube folded backwards and forwards, so as to transverse the barrel three times before reaching the chimney. This tube was 4" dia. at the firebox end and 3" dia. where it united with the chimney, and its total length was 26 feet. With the exception of this tube, the horizontal barrel was filled with water, the water level being above the enlarged part of the upright vessel. The area of the fire grate was 1.8 sq. ft., that of the firebox heating surface about 9_ sq. ft., and that of the tube 33 sq. ft. The two steam cylinders stood vertically upon the framing and were 6" dia. by 12" stroke. The piston rods worked through the top covers of the cylinders, crosshead and side rods being employed to communicate the motion, first to bell crank, whence, connecting rods extended to and worked upon cranks in the axle of one pair of wheels. The dia. of each of the wheels was 4 ft., 2.1 in. and coupling chains were provided for, although the two pairs of wheels were not coupled during the trial. The exhaust steam was turned directly into the open air.

Return to the Catalogue of Early Steam Locomotives

Go to the Steam Locomotive Development Page

About The Hopkin Thomas Project