Steam Locomotive Nomenclature

1. Boiler — A water container that is brought to a boil by hot gases passed through long tubes, thereby producing steam. From time to time the tubes need to be cleaned as they accumulate soot. The smoke box cover at the front of the locomotive is bolted on so that it can be removed for access for cleaning the tubes.
2. Firebox — A box to contain the fire that is used to heat the boiler. Early locomotives used wood for fuel, whereas later locomotives used coal or oil.
3. Smoke box — The drum which draws through hot gases by means of a partial vacuum produced by a venturi effect created by channeling exhaust gases, further heating the boiler. When the locomotive is not moving, a ring of steam jets around the exhaust nozzle can be opened to produce a small artificial draft.
4. Valve chest — A smaller cylinder above the main cylinder containing passageways used by the valves to distribute live steam to the cylinders.
5. Cylinder — A hollow device that converts steam energy into mechanical energy.
6. Cross head — A block which holds the axle connecting the piston rod to the main rod.
7. Crosshead guides — These guide the piston rod in and out of the cylinder. Also known as slide bars.
8. Piston rod — A rod that connects the piston in the cylinder to the cross-head axle.
9. Valve stem — A rod attached to the valve for moving it during engine operation.
10. Link
11. Reverse lever — A lever within the cab that controls the direction of travel and the timing of the valve. Also called a "johnson bar".
12. Reach rod — This rod links the reversing actuator with the valve gear.
13. Tumbling shaft
14. Rocker arm
15. Eccentric rod
16. Frame — The steel beams that provide support for the cab, fire box, boiler and smoke box.
17. Equalizing bars
18. Springs
19. Pedestal
20. Injector — Steam driven vacuum pumps used to inject water into the boiler under pressure.
21. Boiler check valve — A check valve at the point where water enters the boiler from the injectors; used to prevent backflow.
22. Steam Dome — An expansion at the top of the boiler to allow space for the heated steam to collect; the throttle valve for the locomotive is located here.
23. Auxilary Steam Dome — A collection point for steam used to power locomotice appliances such as the generator turbine, air compressor pumps, and steam lubricators.
24. Sand box — A container for holding sand used to improve traction especially on wet or icy rails.
25. Cab — A compartment from which the crew consisting of an engineer and fireman can control the engine and feed or look after the fire box.
26. Air pump — A pump to provide air pressure for keeping the brakes released. A loss in air pressure causes the brakes to be applied.
27. Foot board — A walkway along the locomotive to facilitate inspection and maintenance.
28. Hand rail — A railing above the foot board used for support while walking along the foot board.
29. Pilot truck¹ — Wheels at the front that helped guide the locomotive.
30. Trailing truck¹ — Wheels at the rear of the locomotive to help support the weight of the cab and fire box.
31. Drivers¹ — The wheels that deliver locomotive power to the rails. The drivers are weighted so that the center of gravity of the drivers and rods coincides with the center of rotation.
32. Main rod — A steel arm that converts the horizontal motion of the piston into a rotation motion of the Driver. Also called the connecting rod.
33. Side rods
34. Tender — A container that holds both water for the boiller and combustible fuel such as wood, coal or oil for the fire box.

1. Locomotives are classified by the number of wheels on the pilot truck, followed by the number of driving wheels, followed by the number of wheels on the trailing truck. Thus the locomotive pictured above would be classified as a 4-6-2 locomotive. This system is known as Whyte notation.

1. Air hose — A hose for supplying air pressure to release the brakes on the rail cars. A hose is located next to the front and rear couplers.
2. Backhead — The firebox wall in the locomotive cab used for mounting the locomotive controls.
3. Bell — A bell is located on top of the boiler and is used for signaling.
4. Coupler — A device at the front and rear of the locomotive for connecting locomotives and rail cars together.
5. Pilot — A protective guard at the front of the locomotive to push aside obstructions.
6. Feed water heater — An optional routing of the feed water piping below the smoke box to heat the water before it enters the boiler.
7. Fire box door — A door to the fire box is located in the cab to allow access for the tossing of wood or the shoveling of coal and for lighting of the fire.
8. Gauges — A steam pressure gauge and a water level gauge are located in the cab.
9. Headlight — A lamp at the top of and in front of the smoke box to provide visibility.
10. Smokestack — A short chimney on top of the smoke box to carry away the smoke.
11. Whistle — A steam whistle is located on top of the boiler and is used for signaling and as a warning device.

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