Re: 488’s First Revenue Trip of 2022

Adam Phillips Wrote:
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> “This is the best steaming engine we have
> now!” While I'm certain the MMFE doesn't hurt,
> don't underestimate how much this has to do with a
> non-cheese grater smokebox,

Yes. Look at the area of the screen in the MM front end. Only the smoke has to pass through that big screen. The little screen on top of the stack has to pass that, plus all of the steam. It can't help but have a negative effect on draft. (A big reason that diamond stacks went away, I think.)

Then again, SRC's #90 went from a cyclone to a MM front end, and her steaming ability was hugely improved.

I'm glad that the folks at C&TS are seeing good results. It's a lot of work to do, all while keeping your fingers crossed that the engine is going to perform when fired up.

[youtu.be]. Pat Benetars "All Fired Up". Kelly's official anthem of steam railroading.