I can’t delete the duplicate post, so to elaborate…
The coal size was not something the railroad was ignorant about, and efforts were made to get properly sized coal over many years. While I don’t know all the details, it was never a standard to get really consistent coal at the desired size. This was a complaint I remember being lamented about at Cumbres & Toltec in 2012 for the season I worked there in engine service.
In a weird twist, I think the large coal made better firemen for anyone who really understood the dynamics of the job or the actual physical characteristics of how the firebox breathes. Someone might argue, “why not break the coal down in the tender?”. Well, that’s a nice suggestion, but it’s completely impractical when you factor in the amount of curves a fireman is required to watch, the frequency of having to physically shovel, and other factors. Practically, it’s far easier to learn how to work with what you get in the tender and make the fire work for you. The D&S had the longest and most demanding daily expectations of a coal fireman anywhere in the country, working 3 1/2 hours to get to Silverton, 4-6 days a week. The large coal was always a thorn, but now it’s no longer a problem to worry about.
John Hillier
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/2024 09:39PM by John C.