Re: Question about a Locomotive Feature

Casey Akin Wrote:
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> Realistically, they have installed a "Ram Air" on
> a steam locomotive!!!
>
> Casey

Only if you were moving forward at about 50 mph.... then the "ram air" effect would be back down the flues into the firebox, which the exact opposite direction you want the smoke and gasses to flow!

The basic principle of the smokebox is to create a vacuum chamber which draws the air up through the grates or through the dampers on an oil burner to bring more oxygen to the fire and make the fire burn hotter. I guess the idea of this gizmo is to destroy the vacuum and keep the fire from drawing air. As you need to have as close to an air-tight seal as possible on the smokebox door, keeping this invention air-tight when closed would be a major problem. If you got those vanes to close up air tight, they would be so tight, it would be nearly impossible to move them open and closed.