What power transmission method was used on the Tom Thumb?
Answer
Belt and pulley system
Unlike the direct crank-and-rod linkages favored in later and more robust locomotive designs, the Tom Thumb utilized a belt drive system connected to a pulley on the rear axle. This unconventional mechanism was an experimental feature that reflected the machine's nature as a demonstrator, though it proved to be a mechanical weak point during operation, specifically during the famous race against the horse.
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