Steam & Excursion > Good News

Couldn't help but notice in a previous post that this engine has just been rebuilt. Shown in the morning light at Chama, July 2013. Will miss the smell of coal smoke around it.
Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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Super image - Beautiful use of black and white.
Bob

1 - The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR 487 is now an oil burner thanks to the shop crews at the Antonito, CO, shop.  August 2nd, 2024 sunset at Antonito.

2 - 487's tender was freshly painted awaiting lettering on August 3, 2024 at Antonito, CO.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/24 03:42 by cozephyr.

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Coal or Oil  - it's re-built and operating in the litigious environment - Hip Hip Hooray !

Plus they didn't do just the fuel changeover, the locomotive got a number of sheets replaced in the 
firebox plus other mechanical work. The work that the shops (both lines) put out is pretty amazing
considering the scope of what it takes to keep a 100 year old steamer running.

Out 

Better oil smoke then diesel exhaust... 

Steam loco black-smoke from oil burners is most common with a cold firebox
and too much fuel, & not enough oxygen ... The fireman controls tte fuel. but air flow
depends on how the engine is run by a skilled engineer.
A "CLEAN STACK" , is a teamwork result.

It takes the refractory bricks in the lining of the oil-fueled 
steamers to get to glowing-incandescence, before combustion 
temperatures burn really clean.

That warm-up period is shortend with a decent load of cars behind the tender.
Coal burners have the whole grate area contributing to firebox heat and superheated 
steam.

Oil burners have only a single-point flame source.  Getting impatient and trying to 
raise boiler pressure requires OXYGEN, adding more carbon don't do a damned thing 
to raise combustion temps.  With oil burners, you need to heat-up the thick layers 
of firebricks lining the lower firepan.  When they get HOT, you can begin to build increasing 
boiler pressure, and the superheater begins to take effect.

Its common for oil-fired locos to require much more upkeep and repairs
( sheet replacements and repairs), to their fireboxes.  Inexperienced and
impatient firemen seriously threaten the useable life of firebox sheets. 
Being careful and steady, eventually the firebox and refractory bricks 
all contribute to an increase in hot steam pricuction.

When you see black smoke, that's a cold fire.... and bad on that loco's critical
firebox sheets.   EASY, does it !  And your firebox will last for decades, 

​W.

 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/24 23:39 by wcamp1472.

Wow!  Great  explanation Wes! Learned a lot, many thanks!

The atomizer and blower are your friends and when in tune with the feed valve can be much cleaner.  Experience is the answer.

And to Wes' description please add "and made more complicated by running at 10,000 feet".

Out