PART 1 of 2

The following brief history and general information was taken from the book ARTICULATED LOCOMOTIVES by Lionel Wiener (a Kalmbach publication).

"The Climax locomotive was produced by the Climax Manufacturing Co. located in Corry, PA.

Its outstanding difference from the Shay locomotive is that the transmission shaft is located on the center axles, transmitting power through to the center of the axle. The Shay locomotive, however, is powered on the right side of the power truck.

Transmission - A transverse crankshaft is driven by the engine through the intermediary of connecting rods with universal joints. This shaft has a master gear that transmits the power through the longitudinal shaft. This latter further transmits it to each axle gear through the truck pinions.

Gearing - A bevel gear is keyed to each axle, which meshes with a corresponding pinion on the transmission shaft. The gears are located alternately to the right and left of the transmission shaft. Special attention has been given to the springing of the trucks so as to overcome difficulties which may be caused by irregularities in the permanent way. There are springs under the ends of the bolster as well as the usual springing of the axles.

The transmission system is not designed for high speeds. The gear ratio for freight service allows a maximum speed of 12 miles per hour. A ratio of 2:1 is used for locomotives intended for passenger service, which permits a maximum of 20 miles per hour.

Frame - The main frame carries the boiler and the cab, with the fuel bunker and water tank at the rear. It is secured at its ends to the two trucks.

Firebox - This can descend freely between the trucks, but very deep fireboxes are not needed in this type of locomotive.

Valve Gear - Walschaert valve gear is used on locomotives weighing 45 tons or more.

TYPES OF CLIMAX LOCOMOTIVES

There are two types of Climax locomotives, one with vertical and the other with an inclined horizontal boiler.

Climax Locomotives with Vertical Engines (Upright Type); Class A (17 to 20 tons) and Class B (30 to 40 tons) & This type is used for the smaller locomotives up to 20 tons. The engine is of the two-cylinder vertical double acting type and drives the transmission shaft through a two-speed gear. The engine is located behind the boiler that is of the wagon-top type. The transmission shaft is provided with universal joints. These locomotives can be used on wooden rails if required.

Inclined Cylinders (Horizontal Type); Class B (30 to 60 tons) and Class C (70 to 100 tons) & This type is used for all the larger locomotives, which reach 30 to 60 tons for those with two four-wheeled trucks, and 90 tons for those with three such trucks. It more closely resembles an ordinary loco than the previous type.

Boiler - The boiler is of the wagon-top type. The water level is sufficiently high to insure that the fire tubes are not uncovered on any gradient. The steam dome id located at the center of the boiler so that a supply of dry steam is given whether the locomotive is running in forward or reverse gear.

Steam Piping - The live steam pipes leading from the dome to the cylinders have universal joints and pass through the smoke-box saddle. The exhaust pipes have similar joints.

Utilization of Climax Locomotives & Like the Shay locomotives, the Climax locomotives are much used for logging railways, as also for other services where the gradients are severe, curves sharp and the permanent way inferior.

Climax Locomotives with two motor trucks & This is the most familiar type, and is built to a series of standard designs ranging from 20 to 60 (short tons). Climax Locomotives with three motor trucks (Class C Climax) & This type is built to a series of standard designs of 70, 80, 90 and 100 tons. The Jerome Railway (Arizona), a mineral line uses the most powerful Climax Locomotives yet built which weigh 90 (short) tons."

PART 2 of 2

MDC/Roundhouse furnished the following history/back-ground.