Steam & Excursion > 1522 bookin it in '92

Northbound on our way to Galesburg in '92 for RR days pulling freight.
All hooked up and running a steady 60, I noticed a pickup pacing us on a gravel road on the east side of us on this cool sunnny morning shooting video.  I wondered for years how the video turned out and finally Steven Brown sent me a copy.
I miss my days in the office up there.
Thank you Mr. Brown.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/26/24 18:04 by Frisco1522.

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I can't believe no one has commented on Steven's beautiful photo.  I guess you had to be there.

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> I can't believe no one has commented on Steven's
> beautiful photo.  I guess you had to be there.

I was out of town and just saw it. Beautiful. All black as a steam locomotive should be.

Great photo, one of my all-time locomotive recordings - Frisco 1522!

Posted from iPhone

As a locomotive engineer firing and running a steam locomotive is something I would like to learn to do before I die.

Don’t know if it will ever happen, but it’s a goal.

Regards

Posted from iPhone

With firing....nothing happens very quickly --- except cooling down the firebox.
So, fire preparation is the key ... both in sitting around and going down the main.

Your experience in going over the tracks is key to giving you the advantage 
of knowing where to prep your fire for needs, 5 minutes from now.
It takes time for the internal firebox components to change temperatures,
either up or down.  Your knowledge of the railroad is 90% of firing 
or running.

Running is aided by a substantial train in tow.  It produces the draft 
you need for a strong fire and quick recharge of air compressor systems.
Always ensure your fireman maintains 90% of full boiler pressure, when
haulng cars.  You don't  want sluggish air compressors.

Coal firing is all about the preparation of the firebed and the 
heavy heel across the rear of the grates.  Air flow through the grates 
is NOT even, regardless of what 'the books say' ... The rate of air flow 
at the rear of the grates is 4 to 6 times greater than the air flow through 
the lower part of the grate areas.  That means the coal at the rear burns 
to cold ashes in just a couple of minutes..  ALWAYS carry a heavy 
'bank' across the rear of tte grate area.  Keep it well-fed and dense.
There's continuous, slow burning going on underneath, make sure 
you tend thst 'bank'.... it's what will save you in case of "mistakes.. "

While running, keep your waterlevel at 30% level --- on flat level territory.
That'll drop when you close the throttle... down to under 25% of the glass.

Lots of luck finding a RR that will let you get familiar with 
steamers.

​W.