crank axle

English

A crank axle that was driven by two inside cylinders

crank axle (plural crank axles)

(mechanical engineering, of steam locomotives) An axle formed in the manner of a crankshaft in an internal-combustion engine, having one or two cranked sections driven from one or two cylinders inside the main frames.
- 1951 July, “British Standard Locomotives”, in Railway Magazine, page 441:
  Except in the case of the largest 4-6-2, not yet in contemplation, use of two [outside] cylinders only was decided on for the following reasons:— […] 3. The crank axle is expensive in first cost and maintenance.