Re: Need info on E & P #4

Hi Jim,
How much wood Eureka burns per mile depends upon a number of factors: the tonnage pulled, the grades pulled and the quality of the wood.
On the D&S heading north (upgrade) we will make it from Durango to Rockwood before we will take on wood. Usually there is about a third of a bunker left in the tender upon arrival at Rockwood. The next wood stop is usually someplace like Cascade, although we have gone further than that. However we have never gone further than Needleton. On occasion we have had to stop and cut wood just to be on the safe side. When we arrive in Silverton, we are usually down to stems and seeds.
The tender holds about 1 1/2 cords of wood, maybe a little more. We actually get better mileage out of the wood than we do water. Eureka never passes a water tank going upgrade without filling 'er up. Therefore, going uphill, we stop for water at Hermosa, Tank Creek, Needleton and then Silverton. Downgrade is a whole other matter. Fuel usage for both wood and water is very little, and we can go either to Tacoma or Rockwood without taking on wood.
Another factor is the quality of the wood. We have 4 grades: 1) Atomic wood is the fireman's dream. He can if he wants, lift the pops going upgrade with a train with this wood. It is dry, but with pitch, and makes a white hot fire. 2) Uphill wood. This too is good fuel, but it is not quite as hot as atomic wood. 3) Downhill wood is good for keeping the air pump pounding merrily along and keeping up the boiler pressure while going down hill. Brakes are always a nice thing to have. However, it is not good for pulling uphill grades because it will not make enough steam quickly. 4) Death wood. As the name implies, this crap can kill a fire. It is usually still wet and green. Disreputable wood dealers have sometimes thrown this garbage into our supply. We can usually tell where it is in the fuel supply because green needles are still sprouting which is a good clue to even the dullest mind. It is also very heavy compared to better wood. Death wood makes lots of smoke and no steam. Photograpers love it because of all the dramatic scenes it creates. My firemen hate it. If one looks closely, in a moment of absolute frustration, a fireman is liable to make a hook shot with one these chucking it over the side.
Obviously, when climbing and descending grades with a train uses more fuel than running light. An example: Some years ago I ran Eureka on the US Gypsum railroad. It is about 30 miles long and almost dead level. We found that running Eureka light on level track, with one tender load of wood and water we could get around 60 miles. That ain't bad for a wood burner.
Hope this answers your question.
Dan Markoff