In my last article I gave details of fireless locomotives and I thought it would be interesting to show a similar variation of the concept. Compressed air locos also have a 'boiler', but it is just a receiver. The type dates back to the late 19th century and the first use of this kind of engine on a commercial basis was in 1881 when a batch was built by the Grange lron Co for anumber of north east collieries - these were known as Lishman & Young's Patent Air Locomotive Engines. One of the main users was the Earl of Durham at Lambton Colliery and there they were employed to bring a loaded wagon from the coal face to the main roadway. They replaced pit ponies and 'man haulage' although, in fact, most of the work was done by young boys. Compressed air was pumped from the surface to underground and on one charge a loco could move fourtons for 500 yards.
展开▼
