Johnson bar locomotive Picture from Highball Sim In this picture we see the linkage from the Johnson bar entering into the side of the steam chest. No one really knows why it has the name of Johnson Bar! (from: wikipedia - johnson bar (locomotive)) pennsy; In your analogy the Johnson bar isn't the transmission its the gear shift selector much like one in your car. A Johnson Bar is a control lever on a steam locomotive, used to control the timing of the admission of steam into the locomotive's cylinders. Sep 18, 2020 · The Johnson bar is located in the cab and used by the engineer to put the locomotive in forward, neutral, or reverse. but cutoff needs to be reduced at higher speeds to reduce the amount of steam in the piston that needs to engineer, engine, locomotive | 241 views, 18 likes, 2 loves, 0 comments, 3 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Golden Spike National Historical Park: "How do you make the locomotive move forward and also Johnson bar [? railroad jargon johnson bar, the reverse bar of an early 20C+ locomotive; note johnson n. From 1939 all new-build steam locomotives had to be fitted with power reversers and from 1942 Johnson-bar "The STEAM LOCOMOTIVE" The American Civil War General 4-4-0. And they would have been required for the proposed-but-never-implemented steam locomotive MU ideas. Golden Spik A Johnson bar activated parking/emergency brake on a 1930s White transit bus. Boiler Tubes 16. See Also. adhesive weight), and in this case the Johnson Bar is just a smaller lever in the cab 3. 2 Steam engine valve systems Mar 23, 2025 · I've only been involved with on locomotive with a Johnson Bar and understand the danger was from the bar flailing around and knocking he crap out of the engineer when it was being adjusted under load. The lever that operates the crescent-shaped rocking link, is the large “Johnson Bar” in the cab, typically in front if the engineer To lock the Bar at various points along the locking-quadrant, square notches are machined into “quadrant”, at the center and about 7 or 8 either end of the circular-arc that makes up a guiding and O n the 1,700-odd U. A shovel, a lighter and an Oiler are required to May 14, 2025 · What is the origin of the term Johnson Bar for the cut-off/reverse lever on a steam locomotive? Post subject: Re: Johnson Bar. The article was written by a college of mine at the Minnesota Transportation Museum describing the exact locomotive that I used to run. Boiler Water 13. Open the gas valve a little bit and observe the burner flame coloration. That big reverser with its fulcrum point below the footplate of the cab may have reminded laborers of the other type of Johnson bar used for "pursuading" heavy objects into place. It was released in build 95. Quotations Johnson Bar (locomotive) Reversing lever Limitations and drawbacks Ban in the US Screw reverser Power reverse gear Power reverse impetus See also References Sources On a steam locomotive, the reversing gear is used to control the direction of travel of the locomotive. See Jack Fesco's Description and Photo. It works the same way in all scales. Re the “Johnson bar”, nowhere have I seen any mention that it was named for an actual person. But, as much as possible, you want the expansion of the steam to take place in the cylinders, not in the dry Feb 5, 2019 · my understanding is the the reverser/Johnson bar controls cutoff, the percentage of the piston stroke that steam is allowed to enter the piston. Flue Tubes 20. Johnson bar in a hobby scale locomotive. My father who had a little bit of a warped sense of humor told me the name Johnson bar comes from the part of the engineer that hits it in a collision. The dangers of the traditional Johnson bar (which grew as locomotive power, weight and operating steam pressures increased through the first half of the 20th century) led to it being banned in the USA by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Jack Fesco's 1. There are probably dozens of possibilities but like the “Circus Peanut”, the true origin of the Johnson Bar may be lost to history. Johnson bar. Therefore, it is often said that the Johnson bar controls the "cut off". . Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 12:55 pm . However when the reversing lever (referred to as the Johnson bar) is moved it causes the link to "drop" as depicted in the drawing to the right. Steam The "Johnson bar" is the valve control lever located in a steam locomotive cab. [35] Joint bar, fishplate (UK): Joins the ends of rails in jointed May 26, 2025 · Grabbing a Johnson bar at the wrong time could inflict injuries to the unfortunate operator. Open the firebox door, insert the igniter and light it at the burner. daughter), Not true! Turntables were used to set the locomotive in the direction they were to travel at the front of a train. In the early steam locomotives, the Johnson bar was a big lever connected directly to a link that raises and lowers the OK than. Water Delivery Check Valve: 18. (US) a penis. 4. by Terry Bryson. Note that the radius bar is set to reverse. ) Dec 27, 2019 · locomotive. LOL. To reverse the locomotive, the Johnson bar cuts off the airflow of steam into the locomotive’s cylinders. This is also called "hooking up" a steam locomotive. Mar 8, 2019 · It may be noted though that power-operated throttles (air, vacuum and electric) were found in European push-pull steam operations. The wide Wooten firebox made a straight reach rod impossible, so since the designers couldn't move the valve control to the engineer, they moved the engineer to the The S060-440 Steam Shunter is a small, three-axle, coal-fired steam locomotive designed for shunting duties. 5 inch scale Central Pacific Johnson bar; References "The Company Notch", Discover Johnson Bar (locomotive): A Johnson Bar is a control lever on a steam locomotive, used to control the timing of the admission of steam into the locomotive's cylinders. Nov 26, 2011 · In my opinion hooking up the locomotive is just a way to show off, and when you need to do that, you have the wrong mindset. Move the bar backwards and the locomotive goes into a reverse movement. Steam Dome 14. I would hate to see what running a bigger locomotive was like. V-Tooth. Let's consider a small shunting engine pulling a freight train on shunting backwards Tsunami2 decoders have tons of realistic sounds and features for your steam locomotives. Its control of the cutoff is equally important. In this video, George walks you through our Johnson Bar sound effect Therefore, it is often said that the Johnson bar controls the "cut off". This is the point where new boiler steam is admitted to the cylinders, and this ratio can be set as high as 90% or as low as 10%. Compared to the DE2, it has a lower top speed, higher workload, and around double the load rating. I've also always been under the impression that it was outlawed in the construction of new locomotives at some point in time. By controlling Johnson bar (vehicle): lever is named for its function. " So I have a hunch that the term could have predated steam locomotives. Many steam locomotives have valve gear controls which are set using a Johnson bar as referenced in Fred Another part of a steam locomotive is the Johnson Bar, also called the reach rod or reversing lever. Then quickly reopened the throttle. Another aspect of the operation that the Johnson bar is responsible for controlling is known as steam cut-off. Mar 1, 2015 · The answer to your question is the Johnson bar is the big iron bar that connects the steam cylinders to the wheels and transfir that energy in an artriculation motion the make the wheels turn . Apr 28, 2025 · Move the Johnson bar forward, and the valve gear is positioned to move the engine forward when the steam throttle is opened. Johnson bar is the term for several different hand-operated levers used in vehicles. The style of reverser used on internal combustion locomotives has been in use since at least the early 1900s but as late as 1996 patented improvements have been made to the design and operation. ] 1. Aug 2, 2023 · Pages for logged out editors learn more. Feb 7, 2004 · Locomotive diagrams from the 1870’s and on list the reverse lever as a “Johnson Bar”, so the term was in use at that time. This is the term employed in British English, while the term The Johnson Bar is an essential component of steam locomotives, facilitating the control of the engine's power and speed. Dec 22, 2021 · The steam chests is a fancy valving mechanism. In early steam locomotives, the Johnson bar was crucial for shifting the engine between forward, neutral, and reverse gears, making it indispensable for maneuvering trains. By controlling this timing, the amount of power delivered to the wheels is regulated, as is the direction that the wheels rotate, giving the lever the alternate name of the reversing lever . An ex-Western Pacific GP35 has been repaired from wreck damage at Union Pacific's Salt Lake City shops, with a Union Pacific hood and a Missouri Pacific cab to go with it's original WP nose. Superheater Tubes 21. (I'm sure you understand the brakes!)The throttle controls the amount of steam leaving the boiler to the valve chests (above the cylinders). Throttle Lever 7. The bar going to the right from that link is the Radius Bar. The Walschaerts valve gear is a type of valve gear used to regulate the flow of steam to the pistons in steam locomotives, invented by Belgian railway engineer Egide Walschaerts in 1844. Crown Sheet: 10. Reverse Lever (Johnson Bar) 5. That is a design requirement in order to have a power stroke every 90 degrees of drive wheel revolution. Dec 5, 2015 · The reversing lever, or "Johnson Bar", does more than simply provide the reverse function of the valve gear. This is a lever that is hooked up to the Valve Gear, and is up in the Cab so that the engineer can push or pull on it to control the speed. The engineer controls the position of the radius bar in the expansion link slot with the Johnson bar. Named after its inventor, the Johnson Bar transforms complex mechanical forces into simpler actions for the engineer at the controls. 5 days ago · I, too, have operated two locos with johnson bars built after 1937. ← johnson, n. And this is only found on a steam train. Aug 14, 2011 · Set the Johnson bar to neutral, and set the brake to on. Sand Dome 19. A reversing mechanism of some type has been present on locomotives almost since inception. This is the term employed in British English, while the term [5] [7]: 18 Early American locomotives had bar frames, made from steel bar; in the 20th century they usually had cast steel frames or, in the final decades of steam locomotive design, a cast steel locomotive bed – a one-piece steel casting for the entire locomotive frame, cylinders, valve chests, steam pipes, and smokebox saddle, all as a Mar 1, 2015 · The answer to your question is the Johnson bar is the big iron bar that connects the steam cylinders to the wheels and transfir that energy in an artriculation motion the make the wheels turn . Their distinguishing feature is a positive latch, typically spring-loaded, to hold the lever in a selected position, capable of being operated with one hand. If track speed is reached before the optimum position of the Johnson Bar is found for most efficient running, then the throttle may be closed a bit. Steam locomotives had two main Jul 20, 2005 · Later on, power reverse was used (required on locomotives with more than 400, 000 lbs. Lifestyle . Photo by Warren Johnson. March, 1986. The main rod and side rods on a real steam locomotive MUST be "quartered" at 90 degrees apart, from the right side to the left side. Personal Development It is possible to run the locomotive over such terrain with the throttle wide open, using only the Johnson bar to control the train speed, however, you often end up with the Johnson bar set so high (close to center), that there is barely any valve travel, and the locomotive is simply not running properly. Smokebox 22. 6 days ago · I, too, have operated two locos with johnson bars built after 1937. Cab of the 2-8-2 at McCormick Railroad Park in Scottsdale AZ. Blast Pipe 23. The origin of the name "Johnson bar" is uncertain, however, many believe it comes from the long, steel pry bar of the same name. 1. railroads from the Aberdeen & Rockfish to the Yreka Western, all conventional locomotives have what engineers call a ”Johnson bar” —a manually-operated seven-foot The dangers of the traditional Johnson bar (which grew as locomotive power, weight and operating steam pressures increased through the first half of the 20th century) led to it being banned in the USA by the Interstate Commerce Commission. By controlling this timing, the amount of power delivered to the wheels is regulated, as is the direction that the wheels rotate, giving the lever the alternate name of the reversing lever. Oct 8, 2009 · I have seen quite a few video clips of the Jensen's with the forward and reverse levers being, well. With this change the eccentric that sets the A Johnson Bar is a control lever on a steam locomotive, used to control the timing of the admission of steam into the locomotive's cylinders. Explanation The trailer hand valve, also called the trolley valve or Johnson bar, is used to work the trailer brakes. The reversing lever on a steam locomotive is sometimes called a Johnson Bar. The "transmission" on a steam locomotive is the valve gear. Jan 20, 2016 · Short Video on how to use an El Brutus ( Johnson Bar ) A Johnson Bar is a control lever on a steam locomotive, used to control the timing of the admission of steam into the locomotive's pistons. 0 Generic license. The engineer's job of getting just the right combination of throttle and cutoff for the steaming conditions at hand apparently was a real skill. In smaller locomotives, the Johnson bar could be manually moved by the engineer, but in larger locomotives with heavier valve gear and higher Mar 23, 2000 · Max (and RR's. Health and Fitness . The application of Johnson bars isn’t limited to railroads; they are also prevalent in the agricultural and construction machinery sectors. After cutoff, steam pressure will drop as the volume expands. This was not only done for safety for better visibility, (because often the tender would obscure vision of the crew, and a relatively light tender is more prone to derail when set ahead of the locomotive). Stoker 6. Photo by Eric Mencis. Water Gauge 8. There are typically a series of notches in the arch designed to hold the lever in any particular position. The longer the cutoff, the longer high pressure steam is forced against the piston. On a conventional locomotive, the Johnson bar was connected to the valve gear by a reach rod which had to be substantial, rigid, and straight to carry the forces placed upon it. Figure 1. This is the newly restored Johnson Bar from D&RGW 223, primed but not painted. S. The S060 is found in small, remote stations, such as the forest stations, but also at the farm and steel mill. Dry Pipe 17. May 16, 2025 · A steam locomotive with a Johnson bar is shunting a huge freight train. My questions are:. Open the steam cylinder drains. It configures the valves for forward and reverse operation, as well as adjusting the cut-off of the valves. NN 40 still has a Johnson bar and I have seen some people fight with it. Aug 1, 2019 · The vertical link with the big slot is the Expansion Link. The Johnson bar controls the direction and speed of the locomotive. It should be used only to test the brakes. Safety Valve 11. Throttle Valve 15. Small locos might not have the look, but some of them could move 2000 metric tons - not fast, but slow and continuos. Reply: The engineer uses both the Throttle and the Reversing Lever ("Johnson Bar") to control the locomotives propulsion. forward and reversed. Contributions; Talk; Johnson Bar (locomotive) Dec 22, 2021 · The steam chests is a fancy valving mechanism. One built in 1943, and the other in 1947. Apr 16, 2021 · Content Editor Supporting Member Join Date Aug 2013 Posts 11,724 Thanks 1,353 Thanked 29,247 Times in 9,724 Posts The Johnson Bar may need to be hooked up several times before maximum speed is achieved. Both were industrial engines, so I'm wondering exactly how the ICC / FRA rule applied? When working under heavy load, I simply quickly slammed the throttle closed (or nearly closed) and adjusted the bar. The Windows open, whistle lever, throttle lever and Johnson bar, water injector A set of Walschaerts valve gear on 60163 Tornado. Just a thought, David Meashey May 31, 2006 · Johnson bar (US): On a locomotive, a long, heavy lever that operates the cutoff, etymology unknown. 6 days ago · pennsy; In your analogy the Johnson bar isn't the transmission its the gear shift selector much like one in your car. Turbine-Generator 12. Here is an account of proper use of the Johnson bar while starting a steam locomotive. A few key parts have been identified. 1 - According to Freeman Hubbard's "Encyclopedia of North American Railroads", the origin of the term "Johnson Bar" is lost in history, but probably was named for an official of the Baldwin Locomotive Works. When the locomotive is shifted between forward, neutral, and reverse in the cab it is translated to the steam chest via some linkages attached to the Johnson bar. May 10, 2013 · And they called these levers "Johnson bars. Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad 4-6-2 “Pacific” Locomotive “Johnson bar in the forward company notch”2 Photo by Sean Lamb from Wikimedia Commons Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution–Share Alike 2. Firebox 9. Thus as the crankshaft rotates the forward eccentric directly controls the motion of the valve admitting steam to either side of the piston in the cylinder. From 1939 all new-build steam locomotives had to be fitted with power reversers and from 1942 Johnson-bar May 23, 2024 · A Johnson bar is a long, steel, lever-like device found on a steam railroad locomotive and used to control the train's direction. ihaqfz vqtv xby mqvzim vjjo qhgymc sbkd whonw zagdn sbtzofv