Re: Track Laying in Como, Session #5

o anderson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> At that elevation, water might boil at around 150
> degrees. Does this present a problem for
> operating a steam engine, or just cost savings in
> fuel?

The water temperature in the boiler is based on the pressure in the boiler, not the local atmospheric pressure. The difference in temperature of the water in the boiler at working pressure will only be a few degrees different than for the same gauge pressure (absolute pressure minus atmospheric pressure) in a locomotive at sea level. With boiler pressure of 150 to 200 psi, a few psi isn't much of a difference. The bigger issue is getting enough oxygen to the fire, but that obviously wan't too much of a problem since steam locomotives operated regularly at that altitude and higher.