Charlie Dockstader
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Valve Design Software
- In 1986, Charlie Dockstader wrote the first version of software to simulate various types of valve gear. Since then, he has made continuous additions and improvements to add other types of valve gear and improve functionality and ease of use. He has generously made the software available by placing it in the public domain as freeware. I offered to distribute it via the world wide web and Charlie makes sure that I have his most current version.
- Several people have asked me about restrictions on use of the program. The best answer is that provided by Charlie, ". . . I could have copy-righted this software, but chose not to." "I want to share it with all who want to build their own steam locomotive."
- The programs can be used with the default settings to view operation and characteristics of any of the types of valve gear supported. They may also be used to check or change valve gear designs as all the variables in the gear can be modified. Some types of valve gear also include a design section. Performance for all types can be viewed using several different types of diagrams.
- The default dimensions used in the programs are in inches and are at or near 1.5 inch scale. They can be user modified to suite the scale desired or for use with the metric system.
The latest version of Charlie's valve design software is hosted by the Bitter Creek & Western RR.
Gallery
Left to right.... Lew Soibelman, Jack Corrick, Jim Kreider, Tom Miller, Barry Hauge, Charlie Dockstader. Picture is from 1981. around a year of so before Tom's Big Boy was delivered.. Dick Bagley and I are out of frame. Photo by Algie Littlepage.
Charlie Dockstader running his Central Pacific 229 at Bitter Creek in 2006.
