Hello All.
I came across this picture on railpictures.net and was stunned to see the connecting rods transferring the power from the electric motors to the driving wheels. It sure seems to defeat the advantage of smooth electric power. Maybe I’m easily impressed. [:O] I sure hope there is no problem re-posting. [:-^]
Lee
Nothing unusual about it – many European electrified railroad locomotives were built this way before traction motors became small enough to be mounted on the axles.
The actual electric motors in most locomotives at the time were almost as big as a compact car.
Yes, we had the same type of construction in Sweden:
Ahh the good old Crokodiles. Love those engines. The term I’ve heard used for these time of electrics is “Jack-staff electric”.
We had them for a time in the US too, but never in large numbers. The Pennsy had a class of them, as did the Virgininan and I thought I saw a NYC class that had them as well.
As for the “smooth running” nature of electrics, at least in this class you are correct they were a little rough, hence the counterweight forward of the rocker arm. Later members of the class had this worked out and the counterweight and rocker arm became are true jackstaff.
This is a nice photo of a Pen DD1 build after the same concept. At that time the motors were so huge they could not be put “in” the trucks.
Wasn’t just Europe. Norfolk & Western’s electrification involved side rod electtrics: http://spec.lib.vt.edu/imagebase/norfolksouthern/full/ns1580.jpeg
The Virginian also used side rod electrics.
Andre
