Locomotive bed

From TrainSpottingWorld, for Rail fans everywhere

A locomotive bed is a one-piece steel casting for a steam locomotive that consists of the locomotive frame, the cylinders and valve chests, steam pipes, and smokebox saddle, all as a single component. It was a development of the final years of steam locomotive development in the United States. Most large cast-steel locomotive beds were made by General Steel Castings. The advantages included greater strength and more accurate alignment.