About
"Catechism of the Locomotive" by Matthias N. Forney and Georg Kosak is a technical manual written in the late 19th century. It presents a clear, catechism-style guide to the principles, construction, and operation of steam locomotives for railroad personnel, mechanics, students, and interested readers. Expect plain language, abundant diagrams, and practical calculations covering thermodynamics, boilers, engines, valve gear, performance, and safety. The opening of the work sets out transcriber notes, plates, and publishing details, then a preface explaining how a German catechism by Kosak inspired a translation that Forney ultimately rewrote into an American-focused handbook, with acknowledgments and a defense of the “catechism” title. The introduction defines the broad audience and the commitment to simple explanations, briefly teaching the algebraic symbols and drawing conventions used. The text then begins its Q&A: it explains the basic steam engine (cylinder, piston, slide-valve, e
Source and licence
This work is public domain or openly licensed. The licence terms are published by the source.
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