Talk:Walschaerts valve gear

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[edit] Name

The bit about the name doesn't read quite right, in my opinion. This is a valve gear invented by a man named Walschaerts, so if anything could be said to have a proper name, it probably ought to be "Walschaerts valve gear" in this case. It has come to be known much of the time as the "Walschaert valve gear" because someone got his name wrong somewhere in the patenting process. Patents do not create some overriding name that should properly be used over what common sense tells us something should be called. US patent 3,156,523 is titled "Element 95 and Method of Producing Said Element", but the IUPAC standard name of this element, which is the closest thing to an 'official' or 'proper' name, is Americium. There must be countless examples of patent titles which do not reflect either common or standardised 'proper' usage. There's no problem having this article at "Walschaert valve gear" if that's how it's more commonly known, but it's no good to say that's how it's properly known, when really it's just an error that has become widespread. 81.155.83.249 12:27, 1 September 2006 (UTC)

I think it's just a mistake that's been carried on over the years. Probably to do with the apostrophe. People have taken Walschearts valve gear to mean Walschaert's i.e. invented by Mr Walschaert, whereas his name is spelt 'Walschaerts' So I suppose it could even be 'Walschaerts's Valve Gear' :-) ChrisRed 160.84.253.241 15:59, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Second thoughts...I'll have a go at simplifying this soon. It is flagged-up as 'too technical' and is also actually wrong in a couple of places (i.e. return crank/combination lever layouts for slide/piston valves) and it doesn't say what 'lap' and 'lead' are. I'll put my version on this 'Talk' page first for comments. ChrisRed 13:40, 24 January 2007 (UTC)

It's the least courtesy to spell the man's name right, for crying out loud! Even if he is long dead, the name is fairly common in Belgium. I'm for renaming the article Walschaerts valve gear and putting Walschaert in brackets. As for lap and lead, I've just tried to give a simple explanation in the Steam engine article, section: Steam distribution. I'd be interested in your reactions. The point is, you can't explain lap and lead without first giving an idea of the whole steam engine cycle.--John of Paris 11:25, 8 June 2007 (UTC)

Anybody there?! It's been three weeks since my last contribution to this discussion. As I said, I'm for renaming the article. Personally I have never seen the name "Walschaert" in any English language publication, so I don't think we can consider it common usage. I'll wait another week then change the title. Considering its high importance rating in the trains wiki, the job should not be shirked and the other problems should be addressed pretty soon.--John of Paris 08:46, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

I've mentioned this discussion on the project talk page. Personally, I have no strong feelings toward either name. Slambo (Speak) 11:13, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Slambo, for directing me to this. FWIW, I think it should be moved, firstly to get the mans name right, and secondly beacause that is how it is referred to in general use. regards, Lynbarn 11:20, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

Look, anyone would think I'm bringing up a new issue. This is the only subject on the present discussion page and if you look back through the history of this article over the past year, you will see that there have been at least two attempts to move it. It hasn't been moved or been moved back each time which suggests to me that someone is hanging on by his fingernails. Well I don't like charging in like a bull in a china shop into an article in which I have never participated and just doing a fait accompli. All you are discussing since last September is one letter S. — What comes out of the discussion is that nothing justifies keeping the present title - but I as a newcomer would rather those who contributed took the initiative... That said I will very happy to participate in resolving the other problems and see us discussing here something interesting - but please, first move it.--John of Paris 20:16, 29 June 2007 (UTC)

The article has been moved to its new name, and I have amended the copy to reflect that, but there are still some wikilinks that are currently redirected, which will need to be repaired. If you can do some, please do, if not I will go through this list and this one too in the next few days or so. regards, Lynbarn 00:40, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

Phew! Thanks Lynbarn!--John of Paris 13:36, 30 June 2007 (UTC)

[edit] References

The best article I have ever seen on Walschaerts (what a name to spell!) and his gear is in French by Jacques Payen in Les Cahiers Chapelon a magazine supplement that came out in the 1980s. In it he gives an account of the dispute between Heusinger von Waldegg and Walschaerts in which both parties come off honourably. Walschaerts position, which he held all his life was works manager on the Belgian State Railways. I have drawn from it to update the Egide Walschaerts article.--John of Paris 17:36, 30 June 2007 (UTC)