Re: June 1968 - no spark arrestors

Wire screen spark arrestors can affect the steaming of an engine as the cylinder oil in the exhaust combines with coal smoke and dust and starts sticking to the screen making the holes smaller. In addition the wire also captures cinders that can eventually pile up in smokeboxes affecting draft. The 315 had that happen to it on the C&TS.

Most of us older fellas I am sure, remember when railroads regulary burned their right of ways. When that practice stopped, trains set more fires from engine exhaust (even diesels with carbon particles) and brake shoe sparks.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2012 06:00PM by Tomstp.