Bold new road power for heavy loads with the Diplock Pedrail system.
This book presents a pioneering approach to hauling heavy goods on ordinary roads, including the design, testing, and practical potential of a Pedrail-based traction engine. It features the No. 2 engine, its trials, and expert commentary that together reveal how road locomotion could mirror the efficiency of rail travel.
The text explains the engine’s major innovations, from a four-wheel drive that works in unison to a novel drum, crane, and loading system. It also highlights the Pedrail as a walking-like wheel that can travel almost anywhere a conventional wheel can, while avoiding common road-wheel problems. The material covers control features, start-up methods with high-pressure steam, and methods to reduce back-lash in gearing, all aimed at dependable, smooth operation on varied terrain.
- Pedrail propulsion and four-wheel driving with coordinated gearing for maximum pulling power
- Triangular spring frames and spherical bearings that allow axle movement without harming the drive system
- A winding-drum and a central-crane arrangement for loading on hills and rough ground
- Documentation of trial results, expert assessment, and practical estimates for future use
Ideal for readers of engineering history, transport innovation, and early attempts to modernize heavy freight on highways.