Locomotive: Building an Eight-Wheeler
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.72 (846 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0395696879 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 40 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-11-04 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
The author explains how an eight-wheeler was built and takes the reader through the construction process, from the draftsmen's first drawings to the beautifully crafted, perfectly tuned locomotive that steamed out of the shop with the sun glinting off her polished brass bell and whistle. The steam locomotive became a symbol of American ingenuity and skill that our national poet, Walt Whitman, called an "emblem of motion and power - pulse of the continent." One of the most useful locomotives was a wood-burning 4-4-0, an eight-wheeler made for fast passenger service. The mechanical details are miraculously revealed in the illustrations, showing the skill and pride of the craftsmen who helped to build this great nation.. In the 1830s, Americans fell in love with railroads and locomotives. Soon we were building the biggest, most powerful locomotives in the world
Edward J. Vinarcik said Excellence. Very few children's books venture beyond an image. Weitzman's presentation in "Locomotive: Building an Eight-Wheeler" goes beyond the typical superficial children's train book. Weitzman shows how a train is put together using machines just as grand as the engine. Several manufacturing processes are illustrated in a simplistic manner, which can be understood by a child. The line drawings are magnificent with exquisite detail. The text accompanying the drawings is clear and concise . "Not another "Superpower"" according to Brian Fritz. Unlike "Superpower", Weitzman's previous book on steam locomotives, this one is specifically written for children. The wealth of detail, and the story, in "Superpower" is totally absent in this book. I counted a total of 18 pages. That's the bad stuff.The good stuff is that the exquisite line drawings are just as breathtaking as they are in "Superpower". Occaisonal bits of detail sneak into the text to tease you with the authors knowledge of 19th century industrial technology.Even. Beverly Birky said Five Stars. nice
While Weitzman's text is often engaging, the level of detail he provides (as well as the many locomotive terms he leaves undefined) makes his book best suited to those already struck by train-love. (Sept.) Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Publishers Weekly In this companion volume to his Superpower: The Making of a Steam Locomotive, Weitzman turns to an earlier trainAa wood-burning eight-wheeler made in the 1870sAand once again presents the process of its crafting through informative text and meticulous illustrations. . Weitzman takes readers behind the scenes at the drafting room, where a master mechanic creates the custom plan for the locomotive on paper; the factory machine shop, where drill presses, lathes and planers bring the bulk of the locomotive's parts to life; the forge, the boiler shop and the foundry, where the locomotive's iron pieces are made; and the erecting shop, where hundreds of men