So the counter weight, is reducing the amount of work needed to lift the bar?

Question

So the counter weight, is reducing the amount of work needed to lift the bar?

Answer 1

Jessica-

The counterweight does exactly that, but there are a few other factors too.

If you have a close look at the way the driver wheels are laid out on a steam engine, you will notice, from side to side the crankpins are quartered from eachother.  Basically at a 90 degree angle from side to side on the locomotive.  

What the counterweight does is reduce the pounding forces created by the forward, backward, up, and down motion of the connecting rod, or (transfer bar).  This reduces vibration to the locomotive, and the beating effect on the rails and ties.

So basically provides balance while the wheels are spinning.  It works on the same principle as the counterweights on your car's crankshaft inside your engine.

I am a volunteer for Niles Canyon Railway.  We have two Steam Engines that pull trains.  What you cannot see is that the weight on those counterweights is also adjustable.  On the back side of our wheels in the area where the counter weight is, there are large holes drilled.  These holes can be filled with molten lead or drained of the lead, to increase the weight or decrease the weight as necessary.

Anyhow I hope that answers your question.

Answer 2

Yes, it is.

Answer 3

Yes it is.

Having the counter weight also makes for a smoother descent when the gates come down, as some of them are quite heavy for the longer ones over multiple lanes.

In addition, with gravity as a helper, a less powerful mechanism is needed to raise and lower the gates.

And when they are down, stop back as far as practical.  Stuff falls off of freight trains all the time.

Of course, when they're up doesn't mean a train ISN'T coming.  They are not fail safe.  The only way to cross ANY track safely is to stop (when practical) look and listen by rolling your window down with the music off.

Answer 4

Yes.

Good Luck...