Geared steam locomotives - video and photo

[mklotz]

Can any one comment regarding efficiency of gear vs piston locomotive?

Geared locos were designed to provide the better tractive effort needed for pulling heavy loads on steep grades as in the mining and logging industries. As such they were not intended for long haul usage as the more conventional designs were.

In terms of fuel usage per mile traveled they're probably less efficient than conventional. The friction from all that gearing almost guarantees that. But they weren't designed for long haul; they're meant for high traction and in that respect are more efficient than conventional. They're the right design for the job they were meant to do.

You can read more on the subject at the Wiki article...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geared_steam_locomotive