Jimr260 Wrote:
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> Fire is fire, regardless of the fuel source. I,
> too, have been puzzled when you watch an oil
> burner and live flames are constantly flickering
> outside the fire box. Since any fire source can
> start a fire, it is difficult to understand why
> oil fired engines are considered a necessity to
> prevent lineside fires. I am a scientist and my
> mantra is "show me the evidence collected in a
> scientifically validated manner". Does anyone know
> of ANY well conducted studies that show oil fired
> leads to less fires???
Years ago when the Friends sponsored a moonlight dinner train we had Lucy on the head end. I was in the open cars and we were watching the hot coal clinkers hitting the dry grass starting fires along the way. It kept the fire patrol pretty busy cleaning up after us going up the hill. The train had to stop a few times so fire patrol could catch up to us. I think Lucy's total that night was 11 fires going up to Cumbres. (Thankfully none bigger than a yard or two across.)