Regulátor

Using the regulator control device (equivalent to throttle in other motorized vehicle types), the driver sets the amount of steam being admitted from the boiler to the steam chest. Steam chest is an intermediary reservoir from where the steam finally reaches the vehicle's cylinders.

Based on the technology used, some vehicles may have early versions of superheaters that result in delay in response from the control device operation to the vehicle motion. Similarly, closing the regulator does not immediately stop admission of steam to the cylinders, but rather to the steam chest. Thus, the vehicle will not stop attempting to accelerate immediately, but only once the steam chest has depressurized.

The steam in the chest is distributed alternately at both ends of the cylinders with every cycle. It pushes the pistons inside, which are mechanically connected to the driving wheels, thus propelling the vehicle. The used steam is then expelled through the blastpipe, where it mixes with smoke from the firebox in the smokebox, and together goes into the atmosphere through a chimney. The cycle repeats at every full rotation of the driving wheels.