Re: Bear Traps

No repentence needed they were very hard on flues,
fireman,fireboxes and not to mention fuel.
Bear Traps may have worked on C&S engines but K-28s are a far cry from the little kettles the C&S ran.They were not even designed like the C&S bear traps.In short they were a noble idea but they choked the fire so bad due to the double screens
at the lower and upper portion of the trap.Because they choked the fire inturn the fireman over fired which ment thick fires,way to thick.Poor drafing and poor breathing of the firebed ment poor steaming.They were gone before 2001 season.The only one left is the 76 which is still awaiting heavy repairs.The engines now have
a more conventional cinder screen like nature intended.