Heisler brake cylinder operation

[DavidT]

Does anyone know how the Heisler brake cylinder works? Or can refer me to a web site that explains such things. From drawings on the web that I can almost read, the piston seems to be one piece with a large and small piston end. Steam comes in at two places, the end of the small cylinder and at the step from small to large on the large side. I have also learned that I am only a few hours from the Mt Rainer Scenic Railway. Planning some trips when the weather improves and operations get started. They have two three truck Heislers, one is operational

[Dan Myers]

Not sure about the Heisler, but I would check out this site for a steam brake on a Shay:

www.nelsonslocomotive.com/Shay/Brakes/SteamBrakeCylinder/SteamBrakeCylinder.htm

Nelson has constructed a brake very similar to how you've described it, "large on one end, smaller diameter on the other..."

Take care,
Dan
cdmrr.com

[DavidT]

Thanks Dan
Shay brake is not the same. The rod only comes out on one end, if the picure I have is good. The picture is from www.steaminthewoods.com. I have been following Nelson for quite awhile. He has been doing excellent work and is a good example to us new machinist.

[brian]

David, physics wasn't my strong suit in school but I remembered that for every action there is an equal and oppisite reaction. The piston pushes out only one end but the lever link directly below the brake cylinder causes the piston to pull the other brake cylinder lever at the same time. They work pretty good in 1 1/2" Brian

[reggie aceto]

i have a 1" heisler that my grandfather built 20 years ago. he did make working brakes for it. if you would like i could take pictures for you. unfortunately i do not have the plans from which he made them. by the way they do work extremely well

[jimbuchanan]

Nelson is also building a Heisler.

Check out his site at:
www.nelsonslocomotive.com/Heisler/heisler.htm