Template talk:Infobox Locomotive
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Contents |
[edit] Usage
 WC 715 at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI |
|
| Power type | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Builder | General Motors Electro-Motive Division (EMD) |
| Model | GP30 |
| Build date | July 1961 – November 1963 |
| Total production | 948 |
| AAR wheel arr. | B-B |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Length | 56 ft 2 in (17.12 m) |
| Locomotive weight | 253,000 lb (115,000 kg) |
| Prime mover | EMD 567D3 |
| Engine type | 2-stroke diesel |
| Aspiration | Mechanically-assisted turbocharger |
| Displacement | 9,072 in³ (148.7 L) |
| Cylinders | V16 |
| Cylinder size | 8.5 in × 10 in (215.5 mm × 254 mm) |
| Transmission | DC generator, DC traction motors |
| Top speed | 78 mph (126 km/h) |
| Power output | 2,250 hp (1,680 kW) |
| Tractive effort | 63,375 lbf (282 kN) |
| Locomotive brakes | Straight air, Dynamic |
| Train brakes | 26-L air |
| Locale | North America |
 The John Bull, c. 1893. |
|
| Power type | Steam |
|---|---|
| Builder | Robert Stephenson and Company |
| Build date | 1831 |
| Configuration | 4-2-0 (although built by Stephenson as an 0-4-0) |
| UIC classification | 1'1A (built as B) |
| Gauge | 4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) |
| Driver size | 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) diameter |
| Wheelbase | 4 ft 11 in (1.4 m) between driving axles |
| Frame size | 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) length x 6 ft 3 in (1.9 m) width |
| Boiler | 2 ft 6 in (0.76 m) diameter x 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) length |
| Cylinder size | 9 in (22.86 cm) diameter x 20 in (50.8 cm) stroke |
| Career | Camden and Amboy Railroad, Pennsylvania Railroad (initial preservation) |
| Number | 1 |
| Official name | Stevens (after C&A president Robert L. Stevens) |
| Delivered | September 4, 1831 |
| First run | September 15, 1831 |
| Retired | 1866 |
| Restored | September 15, 1981 |
| Current owner | Smithsonian Institution |
| Disposition | Static display in Washington, D.C. |
This template has a large number of parameters, but only two are required:
- name - The name that will appear above the top line of the infobox
- powertype - The type of power that the locomotive employs (e.g. "steam", "diesel", "electric", etc.)
The remaining parameters are as follows (in the order that they will appear in the template output):
- image - The filename for the infobox image
- imagesize - The size of the image in pixels (as in imagesize=200), default value is 300; to use the image's actual size, specify imagesize as a blank value (as in imagesize=|).
- caption - The image caption that will be displayed
- designer - The name of the locomotive's designer
- builder - The locomotive builder
- ordernumber - The locomotive's order number
- serialnumber - The locomotive's serial number
- buildmodel - The builder's model number
- builddate - The date(s) that the locomotive (or locomotive model) was built
- totalproduction - The total number of locomotives of the given class that were built
- whytetype - The wheel arrangement in Whyte notation
- aarwheels - The AAR wheel arrangement
- uicclass - The UIC classification
- gauge - The rail gauges on which the locomotive operated
- trucks - The type of trucks
- bogies - The type of bogies
- leadingsize - The size of the locomotive's leading wheels
- driversize - The size of the locomotive's driving wheels
- wheeldiameter - The diameter of the locomotive's wheels
- trailingsize - The size of the locomotive's trailing wheels
- wheelbase - The locomotive's wheelbase
- length - The locomotive's total length
- width - The locomotive's total width
- height - The locomotive's total height
- framesize - The size of the locomotive frame
- axleload - max. axle load
- weightondrivers - The weight on the driven wheels only
- weight - The weight of the locomotive (excluding tender)
- tenderweight - The weight of the locomotive's tender
- locotenderweight - The combined weight of the locomotive and tender
- tendertype - The type of tender; typically the number of axles, the designer, or (where issued), the class of tender
- fueltype - The type of fuel that the locomotive consumes
- fuelcap - The locomotive's full fuel capacity
- lubecap - Lubrication oil capacity
- coolantcap - Engine coolant capacity
- watercap - The tender's full water capacity
- tendercap - The tender's full fuel and water capacity
- sandcap - The locomotive's full sandbox capacity
- consumption - The locomotive's average fuel consumption rate
- watercons - The locomotive's average water consumption rate
- electricsystem - The electric system(s) under which the locomotive operates
- collectionmethod - The locomotive's (electrical) current collection method (i.e. pantograph, third rail, etc.)
- primemover - The locomotive's prime mover model
- rpmrange - The revolutions per minute (rpm) range of the prime mover
- enginetype - The specific engine type
- aspiration - The method that the engine uses to mix fuel and air
- displacement - The engine displacement
- alternator - The locomotive's alternator type/model
- generator - The locomotive's generator type/model
- tractionmotors - The type/model of traction motors
- boiler - The locomotive's boiler size
- boilerpressure - The total boiler pressure rating
- feedwaterheater - Type of feedwater heater installed
- firearea - The area of the locomotive's fire grate
- tubearea - Heating surface - tubes
- fluearea - Heating surface - flues
- tubesandflues - Heating surface - tubes and flues (if not broken out in published specs)
- fireboxarea - Heating surface - firebox
- totalsurface - Heating surface - total
- superheatertype - Superheater type
- superheaterarea - Superheater area
- cylindercount - The number of cylinders
- cylindersize - The size of the engine's cylinders
- frontcylindersize - Size of the front cylinders in an articulated locomotive, if they differ
- rearcylindersize - Size of the rear cylinders
- hpcylindersize - Size of the high-pressure cylinders in a compound (explain arrangement in cylindercount)
- lpcylindersize - Size of the low-pressure cylinders in a compound
- valvegear - Type of valve gear used on a steam locomotive
- valvetype - The type of valves used – slide, piston, poppet, etc.
- valvetravel - The length of the valve travel
- valvelap - The lap of the valve gear
- valvelead - The lead of the valve gear
- transmission - The type of transmission used
- multipleworking - The type of multiple working, if fitted
- topspeed - The locomotive's top speed
- poweroutput - The locomotive's total power output
- tractiveeffort - The locomotive's total tractive effort
- factorofadhesion - Factor of adhesion (weight on drivers divided by tractive effort)
- trainheating - Train heating system used (usually Steam generator (railroad), Head end power, or none).
- locobrakes - The type of locomotive brakes installed
- trainbrakes - The type of train brake system installed
- safety - The safety systems installed (auto train stop, cab signalling, etc)
- railroad - The railroad(s) where the locomotive operated (for articles about individual locomotives and not generic locomotive models); creates a colored heading line like the powertype parameter
- railroadclass - The class designation assigned by the operating railroad
- powerclass - The power class or group of the locomotive
- numinclass - The number of locomotives in the same railroad class
- roadnumber - The operating number(s) assigned by the railroad
- officialname - The official name(s) assigned by the railroad, and who or what the locomotive is named after
- nicknames - Nicknames given to the locomotive
- axleloadclass - The axle load class or group (e.g. Great Western Railway colour code, LNER/British Railways Route Availability “R.A.” )
- locale - The locale where the locomotive was operated
- deliverydate - The date that the locomotive was delivered
- firstrundate - The date of the locomotive's first run
- lastrundate - The date of the locomotive's last regular operation
- retiredate - The date the locomotive was retired from regular service
- restoredate - The date the locomotive was restored to operating condition
- scrapdate - The date the locomotive was scrapped
- currentowner - The locomotive's current owner
- disposition - The locomotive's current disposition
The two infoboxes shown to the right are examples of using this template for a generic locomotive model (the EMD GP30 example) and for a specific locomotive (the John Bull example).
[edit] hiddenStructure vs. qif
This template currently uses the hiddenStructure technique of hiding rows for data that has not been declared in the template usage call. However, using hiddenStructure does not hide the rows when pages using the template are viewed in text mode with lynx or with a screen reader for the blind. I've seen comments elsewhere that {{qif}} (which was itself survived a deletion vote in January) does not have this problem, but it runs afoul of users who wave the WP:AUM banner. Personally, I have no strong preference for either as the arguments are quite convincing on both sides. This template was written with hiddenStructure because it's easier to read and code. Until we have a formal policy in favor of one method over the other, it seems easiest and best for the moment to keep using hiddenStructure here. Slambo (Speak) 19:09, 14 March 2006 (UTC)
- While I would like to eliminate hiddenStructure entirely, due to its many flaws (it also causes templates to fail when ported to other language Wikipedias), I've been hoping that built-in conditionals will be introduced in a timely fashion and all other methods ('qif', 'hiddenStructure', 'weeble', et cetera) can then be moved to that. In the mean-time, please consider using QIF for new templates because spreading 'hiddenStructure' really does dis-enfranchise the users for whom it doesn't work. You can actually structure QIF to work with virtually identical layout as hiddenStructure;
|- {{qif|test={{{param|}}}|then=
! Header
| {{{param}}} }}
- Thus there is really little difference between the two methods except that qif works for more people.--CBDunkerson 19:48, 14 March 2006 (UTC)
-
- Thanks for the simpler explanation than I've seen elsewhere. I was thinking a migration to qif would be beneficial, you've just made it a lot easier. B-) With this syntax, is there anyone who would object to the switch? I don't think I'll be able to perform the transition for another day or two, but maybe someone else would like to have a go at it? Slambo (Speak) 20:16, 14 March 2006 (UTC)
- I tried making the conversion, but must have missed something. Probably forgot a }} somewhere... More investigation and I'll get it working (hopefully) tonight. Slambo (Speak) 00:58, 23 March 2006 (UTC)
- Looks like I wasn't missing anything, but qif itself is getting confused with all of the | characters for rows in wiki markup and misinterpreting them as the end of parameter markers for itself. Hmmm... Slambo (Speak) 01:56, 23 March 2006 (UTC)
- Thanks for the simpler explanation than I've seen elsewhere. I was thinking a migration to qif would be beneficial, you've just made it a lot easier. B-) With this syntax, is there anyone who would object to the switch? I don't think I'll be able to perform the transition for another day or two, but maybe someone else would like to have a go at it? Slambo (Speak) 20:16, 14 March 2006 (UTC)
After a little more experimentation, I have a working test template that matches this template's functionality but using m:ParserFunctions instead of hiddenStructure or {{qif}} (which is now the subject of an MFD in order to deprecate it). When I tried looking at my template usage test page in lynx, it still showed the parameters that were unused. Slambo (Speak) 20:17, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
- Doh! Pasting my test code into the template produced a page of blank space above the infobox. Back to testing... Slambo (Speak) 18:09, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- The problem is that the #if: was around the text of each line, but not the line breaks themselves... you had each #if: on a separate line and all of those line breaks appear in the finished product whether the stuff 'inside' the #if: does or not. There are a few ways around that:
- Put all the #if: in a long stream with no line breaks. In most cases this is messy and confusing and thus not used.
- Put comment markers (i.e. <!-- COMMENTED OUT TEXT -->) around the line breaks to suppress them. Thus you'd see <!-- at the end of each #if: line and --> at the start of each... causing the line break in between to be commented out.
- Put the closing brackets of one #if: on the same line as the opening brackets of the next like, }}{{#if:. This puts the line breaks inside the #if: code... where standard wiki-markup ignores line breaks if there is just one.
- Build the #if: around wiki table markup by replacing any '|' characters inside the #if: text with {{!}}. That evaluates to a '|', but does not interfere with the #if: '|' characters... then the wiki table markup takes care of line spacing.
- --CBDunkerson 18:40, 19 April 2006 (UTC)
- The problem is that the #if: was around the text of each line, but not the line breaks themselves... you had each #if: on a separate line and all of those line breaks appear in the finished product whether the stuff 'inside' the #if: does or not. There are a few ways around that:
[edit] Locomotive Class
Could someone who knows what they're doing link "Class" to class (locomotive)? Mangoe 18:19, 30 June 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Any chance of an extra column for imperial vs metric measure?
Hi there,
I quite like using this infobox template, but the only limitation I find is that to provide both imperial and metric measurements can get a little messy. I'm not greatly fussed by imperial vs metric (I come from one of those countries where both systems are still in common use and we're pretty good at converting!) however, I understand that the Wikipedia manual of style suggests "give the metric equivalent as a courtesy". Furthermore, even if I choose to leave my articles with imperial measures only, a number of editors will seek out articles with imperial measures and insert metric equivalents as happened to the Victorian Railways H class and Victorian Railways N class articles I originally authored.
I see no point to providing metric measures only, given that I'm writing about locomotives where all design parameters were quoted in imperial units, as this makes the article much harder for someone to use when comparing other historical sources quoting imperial measures.
I find the imperial/metric thing particularly messy if you are trying to also include details of a design change to a locomotive, eg "total weight: X lbs (XX kg) as built, Y lbs (YY kg) after superheater installation".
I'm not sure how to best handle this. Could we consider modifying the infobox so that it splits the cells for those fields which require a measurement such as lbs, ft etc into two columns, with the second column for metric measurements an optional extra? Zzrbiker 05:56, 26 April 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Weight Loco
I find in some steam locomotive articles that the definition of "weight" as "The locomotive's total weight" is a source of confusion. In some cases this has been taken to mean the total weight of the locomotive and tender (already covered by the rubric "locotenderweight" - the combined locomotive and tender total weight). If I have understood right, "weight" stands for the weight of the locomotive (power unit) alone, presumably in working order. This is a far more useful criterion if we remember that a steam locomotive can be attached to several different tenders in the course of its career. For instance giving the loco+tender weight for French locomotives would be particularly meaningless as locomotives and tenders were maintained by separate services and had more or less independent careers.--John of Paris 17:38, 3 September 2007 (UTC)
Strange nobody has taken up this issue. Not being very IT literate I hesitate to mess with the template, but suggest it is really urgent to change the mark-up to "weight loco" instead of "total weight" which should avoid confusion for the steam folk whilst not disturbing the others.--John of Paris 08:58, 4 December 2007 (UTC)
Well thanks pals! - for nothing. I've held my breath, modified the template and it seems to work all right. Someone should check all the same.--John of Paris (talk) 11:05, 20 January 2008 (UTC)
