Re: What did 493 reveal??

Will Gant Wrote:
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> Oil has zero impact on traction effort.  However
> UP did bore out 4014's cylinders, which would
> increase traction effort

Tomstp Wrote:
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> I don't see how any change of fuel would affect
> tractive effort.  Keeping the steam pressure on
> the peg with coal, oil, propane, gas or whatever
> would do nothing to increase T.E in my opinion.
> Raising the boiler pressure could increase it.
> Oil would make the fireman's job a little easier
> – not shoveling several tons of coal.


Right On -

No matter which fuel is used in the firebox, steam at full pressure working in the same cylinders should produce the same tractive effort.

But "keeping the steam pressure on the peg" is easier with oil vs coal (or wood), as the fireman can respond within seconds to a change in the engine's demand for steam as conditions – especially the grade and curvature of the track – change.  The more quickly the fire can be adjusted to keep the pressure "on the peg" (but NOT popping off), the greater the percentage of time that the engine is living up to its maximum tractive effort potential.  I.E. #493's maximum tractive effort hasn't increased, but the number of minutes per day that she's running at or near her maximum HAS increased, at least enough for the engineer to notice it.

- Roosso



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/02/2020 01:57PM by Russo Loco.