Trailing truck booster

[dolfa]

Hi,
has anyone built and used a trailing truck booster? I have read an old article written by LBSC and he mentioned building one for his 2.5'' gauge American Pacific.
I'm building a 5'' gauge Pacific made by Canadian loco company which had a booster and I'd like to build one.
Dolfa

[Smokey N Steamer]

I know cbrew made an operating TENDER booster, so theoretically a trailing-truck booster should be possible. I don't know if it's been done already or not. If you look at the back of the ICS Steam Firing textbook there are some descriptions of the various components.

[Highiron]

The Berkshire I had that was built by the Late Dick Thomas had a working booster, very serious steam hog would run you out of steam in about 100 feet

[dolfa]

Sounds, that a booster is not a good idea.
Dolfa

[cbrew]

boosters are only for starting the train, not running very long. The booster does provide enough effort to help start my train on any grade at Train Mountain
here is some videos

[KarlKobel]

I plan on adding a booster to the 2-8-2 Mikado I'm building (Milwaukee Road, L3a).
I have the beginnings of the CAD work done, but it is by no means done (I don't even know if it will fit).
It's not a high priority item.
I plan on publishing it when complete.

There is some good info, including piping, in the 1922 Locomotive Cyclopedia from Rail Driver (no affiliation).

Karl
www.karlkobel.com

[cbrew]

very cool Karl,
if i was to do it again i would change a few things,
number one is to go with a steeper gear ratio (currently 1.5 to 1)
the biggest challenge is to get enough hot steam to the rear truck of the tender.

[dwilloughby]

I believe LL can shed some light on the subject. As I recall their was a member at LALS that had built a 4 wheel trailer truck that had a booster engine. Last name was Smith, but I do not recall the first name.

[dolfa]

Wow, thank you Cbrew for showing us your videos. A lot of power. I like the steam effects.I've got an instruction book on The locomotive Booster printed 1927 and it describes two boosters- one for 2wheel truck and the other for 4 wheel one. I will try to build one for 2wheel, similar to Karl's.
Dolfa

[dolfa]

I was wrong. In the book there are two similar boosters and both can drive 2 wheel and 4wheel trailing truck and also tender truck.
Dolfa

[KarlKobel]

I have a book with the same title copyrighted 1942 by the Franklin Railway Supply Co. subtitled Instruction Book No. 142-A

I gleaned a lot of details for my model from this book.

Karl

[dolfa]

It looks that type C-2 has better idle gear rocker, but on the type C-1 the front and back of the cylinder heads are removable and would be easier to machine.
Dolfa