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TUPLIN, W. A: : THE STEAM LOCOMOTICE - its form and function

UK.BATH,SOMERSET.ADAMS & DART,1974.

ISBN 0239001389.

UK,8vo HB+protected dw/dj,1st edn. FINE/FINE-.No owner inscrptn but price- clip to dw/dj.Bright, crisp,clean,glossy laminated,b/w photographic illustrated front panel of dw/dj with red lettering, black and sunned/faded red lettering to spine/backstrip of same; with negligible shelf-wear or creasing to edges and corners - no nicks or tears present.Top edges with some minimal and sporadic dust-soiling flecks/ spotting,fore-edges with some minimal,sporadic foxing/spotting; contents bright,tight,clean, solid and sound - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners, appears unread - apart from my own collation. Bright,crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,publisher's original plain blue cloth boards with bright, crisp,stamped gilt letters to spine/backstrip, and near immaculate plain white endpapers - sellotape 'ghost' marks from the protective cellophane covering to both front+rear free endpapers excepted.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,5- 158pp [paginated] includes a contents list/table with illustrations list/table to its reverse,a preface8 chapters,16pp contemporary b/w photographs of locomotives and 21 b/w line diagrams interspersed throughout the text and the book,Appendices (I+II) and Tables (3),an abbreviations list with names of Railways and Railroads,an index; plus [unpaginated] half-title with b/w photographic frntis to its reverse,title page and 2pp blanks at the rear. Countless books have been written on different aspects of the steam locomotive,but few have attempted to give an overall picture of its design,method of operation,handling characteristics and the many - often contradictory - factors involved in efficient and economical running.In this new book Dr Tuplin - who needs no introduction to railway enthusiasts - draws on his detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the railway engine to describe its invention,precisely how it works, the design and constructional considerations which had to be faced as it gradually grew larger and more powerful, the relationship between efficiency and cost,and the practical problems of the locomotive in service. After a general introduction to the subject,the first chapter deals with Boiler and Fittings and is followed by one on the Mechanism - wheel arrangements, simple and compound expansion,link motion and other valve-gears,brakes,and so on. Throughout,comparison is made with practice in Britain,Europe and the USA and major developments in design are described and appraised,while misconceptions and 'red herrings' are dismissed with the author's characteristic acerbity.61 b/w photographs illustrated every different form the steam locomotive has taken since Trevithick's pioneer machine ran on rails in 1804,including representative examples from the United States, Belgium,France and Germany. But viewed from its footplate while at work,or from a pit beneath while it rests in the shed, the locomotive differs markedly from its popular image - men had to work hard to make it run,and in a fascinating chapter on 'Steam in Service', Dr Tuplin discusses driving,firing,the day's work for the engine-crew,and the dangers encountered on the footplate.Nor are the wider issues ignored.A chapter on Maintenance and Fuel describes the types of fuel used and their relative advantages and drawbacks; the varying characteristics of water; and the relationship between them and maintenance costs,engine efficiency and economics. 'The Steam Locomotive' is,then,not just another railway book,but a concise and definitive account of the railway engine throughout the Age of Steam: as such it is both a basic reference work and a text of absorbing interest to every railway enthusiast. Please contact seller,for correct shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. ALL buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order's receipt and before the order's despatch,especially if the item(s) are offered either P+p included/FREE. ** N.B. US/Canada customers please be aware: Standard AIRMAIL postage from UK to these destinations can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. anything from a 1/3rd to 1/2 of the standard AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving sooner than the 42 days - but not always.

UK,8vo HB+protected dw/dj,1st edn.
Not SIGNED.

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