Realistic Smoke/Steam for Big Boy

Black smoke usually means there is not enough air in the firebox and there is to much carbon.  Usually this can be fixed by using the blower, opening the firebox doors a bit or opening the throttle to create more draft.

Why did experienced engineers/fireman run"dirty"when there was a fix?

 

Bob C.

I know, this should be on the:  "Real Trains" forum, but you are referring to 'Black Smoke.'

I was told, regarding steam locomotives, other than the whistle, as an audible warning,  that black smoke, as a visual warning, meant that the locomotive had no brakes.

Is, this true?

Thank you,

Ralph

 

ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NO!!!!!  Smoke had/has NOTHING to do with brakes! Truly amazing what folks come up with.

 

Now, concerning the smoke from Union Pacific steam locomotives, please be aware that the UP coal burning locomotives assigned to Cheyenne, and further points west, used "Wyoming Coal",  more specifically Hanna Coal. That type of coal is much lower BTU coal, than say Kentucky or West Virginia coal, and thus must be used in HUGE quantities in order to maintain working boiler pressure on the long grades, such as Sherman Hill, westbound out of Cheyenne. In many cases, the 4000 class steam locomotives had to stop for MORE COAL, about half way up the grade!

I though the black smoke meant the Pope was firing the locomotive, or was that white smoke......aw jeeze...can't remember now.

The post was made in regard to the new Big Boy,in part and questions what is realistic in model trains , in particular the vision Line Big Boy.

 

I will ask Mr. Melvin about this.

 

Bob C.

 

Something like that, but I can never get THAT straight either.

 

If you are referring to the "alternating smoke feature" on the newly announced Vision Line UP 4-8-8-4 model, you are correct in assuming that the "alternating smoke feature" is NOT prototypically correct. This whole subject was discussed at great length, after the video from the last York show was presented.

Admittedly, Black Smoke has been talked about before for our Steam engines but it seems to be difficult to make it blow other than a white mist.

 

Be Happy, We get lots of smoke these days !

I am sorry. I misworded the original post and that has caused confusion as to what I am saying.

 

Bob C.

 

OK, then exactly what are you saying/asking, and I'll try to help you?

Please read the revised initiating post. Sorry for combining a prototype issue with a toy train observation.

 

Bob C.

 

OK, concerning the "TWO CONSTANT STREAMS OF WHITE STEAM…", those are from; 1) the turbo generator/Dynamotor, and 2) most likely the Wilson Blowdown Separator exhaust. I believe Lionel's Jon Z has already explained that there is NOT enough room inside THAT portion of the boiler/firebox area to install additional smoke generating unit/units, in order to produce those two effects.