Dynamic Load

For the first few seconds, Belfast No. 1 barely seemed to move at all.

High-pressure steam expanded inside the twin cylinders, driving the pistons forward against the crossheads. Connecting rods pushed against the crank pins, and six coupled driving wheels turned in unison—slowly, deliberately, biting into the steel rails.

Then, the slack disappeared from the train consist.

CLANK!

The heavy iron link coupling between the tender and the first freight wagon tightened violently.

CLANK!

The second coupling snapped taut. Then the third.

The metallic shockwave traveled down all twelve loaded ballast wagons until the rear inspection coach jerked forward with a sharp jolt.

Arthur Pendelton grabbed the edge of the drafting table with both hands. "Good God!"

Samuel Wright, sitting across from him, barely swayed with the motion. "That was merely the draft gear taking up slack, Arthur."