Re: NNG: Greenfield Village Mason-Bogie

On the front of the 2-8-0, note the Wootten Draft Damper, which is the round feature in the center of the smokebox front. This was an adjustable (from the cab), rotating register to allow air to enter into directly into the smokebox, and into the exhaust stream to reduce the air draw through the grates, into the firebox, and through the tubes.

As described in the full patent, this device is to limit draft when an engine is working hard when full draft is excessive for full power and can lift fuel off the grates and expel it without burning it.

I don’t recall ever seeing this device in any locomotive photos other than one photo of a Hecla & Torch Lake RR camelback. Apparently, Inventor Wootten developed the device for his wide firebed Wootten firebox used for anthracite.

I believe this device would also limit cinder discharge by regulating the draft to only what is needed for full power.