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6 replies

Oil or coal?

rrmanrrmanOGR Forum Member

I have been reading a wonderful book tracing evolution of steam engines how various problems and tradeoffs were solved as engine sizes grew and demands for more horsepower and drawbar power.

Was curious if all things being equal (maybe same type wheel arrangement, simple or compound, cylinder sizes etc), is an oil fired engine easier to run than coal?

From what I read you had to spread the coal evenly on grate and watch drafting to avoid making holes in the coal bed, while an oil fire was just that without needing to spread the oil flame(??)  The fireman had to shovel more/less coal or run stoker faster/slower, while I think the fireman just increased/decreased the oil valve.  The tourist small engine I ran for awhile was oil fired and basically was "watch the gauge and open/close oil valve to keep pressure up".

From an armchair book reader.

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BillYo414BillYo414OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I would be interested to see what people say here. The only steam machine I have ever been on/around was wood fired (Reeves traction engine) and the operator just tossed wood in there without much concern for how it was arranged.

I have never even burned coal myself but I didn't know the fireman had to pay attention to how the coal was loaded. I thought you just shoveled the coal in and got on with it

RT Rusty TraqueOGR Forum Member

I've fired three coal burners (if you also count a steam crane) and one oil burner.  The oil burner required much less sweat but didn't eliminate the diligence.

On a coal burner you should keep the fire as level as possible, watch for clinkers and holes in the fire.  The back corners of the firebox tend to need a little more attention because you can't directly see them, even with a stoker.  You check by seeing how well it illuminates the face of your trusty #10 coal scoop.

Basically, you mentally divide the firebox into nine sections: Left front, center front, right front, left side, center, right side, left rear, center rear, right rear.  Add coal as needed.

Each locomotive (or crane) presents slightly different challenges to keeping a good fire.  And oh yeah: You're also paying attention to what the engineer is doing, the pressure gauge, the water glass and the right of way ahead.

Rusty

Last edited by Rusty Traque
HW Hot WaterOGR Forum Member
@naresar posted:

I haven't had the chance to work a steam engine yet, but I understand from someone I volunteer with that an oil fired locomotive makes it harder for the engineer to be a jerk to the fireman by using more steam than necessary.

Sorry but, you have just backwards, i.e. with an oil fired locomotive it is far easier for the "Engineer" to be a jerk and cause the Fireman a LOT of problems!

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