judahGrice
Retired Trainz User
C&O 'Greenbrier' Class 2-8-4 locomotive, No. 614.
So you think you know about Trains? - Pt 2
- Thread starter ZecMurphy
- Start date
MeowRailroad
CKRail
Chessie System 614, used previously on the Chessie Safety Express after an RDG T-1 was badly burnt in an engine shed fire. The fire was so bad, the coal in the tender burned. 
This makes me slightly mad at Chessie System even though it wasn't their fault.
This makes me slightly mad at Chessie System even though it wasn't their fault.Actually, No. 614 is a 4-8-4, one of five J3a class locomotives built by Lima in 1948.
#614 Trivia: The C&O Power book notes that "The J3a class were originally ordered with streamlined jackets like those of the L-1 Hudsons (pic below) but this item was canceled prior to construction."
The C&O's L2a Hudsons, which were also built in 1948 (by Baldwin,) also ended up with a similar sort of pilot (pic below) and interestingly enough, the L2a locos were also originally ordered with streamlining, which was canceled. But that sort of "solid" pilot seemed to have been popular on some of the steam locos built during the late steam era -- the later N&W Class As used a similar pilot, for example.
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That is the story I heard at Clifton Forge, VA, was that like C&O 490, the Greenbrier's would be streamlined, but only the pilot was kept when the streamlining was canceled. MILW 261 has one of those pilots too, I would agree that from 1945 to end of big steam solid pilots were popular.
Saturnr
Saturnr
redfox2012
Engineer
C&O Greenbrier 4-8-4 #614T
ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The steam locomotive used in the ACE3000 trials in the 1980s on the Chessie System was former C&O Greenbrier #614.last week's question said:
This weeks question:
What is the main advantage of the double wire mechanical point and signal control system, over the conventional (for railways that derived from British practices) single wire, and point rod, mechanical point and signal systems?
judahGrice
Retired Trainz User
Oh shoot. I meant 4-8-4! Whoops! thanks for catching that!
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ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The main advantage of the double wire mechanical point and signal control system, over the more conventional (for railways that derived from British practices) signal wire system is that it allows for operation of points, and signals, over a much greater distance.last week's question said:
This weeks question:
What is the purpose of the Brick Arch in a steam locomotive’s firebox?
Wikipedia says:
"There is a large brick arch (made from fire brick) the front third to half of the firebox. It is supported on arch tubes, thermic syphons, or circulators. The brick arch directs heat, flames, and smoke back over the fire towards the rear of the firebox. Visible smoke contains unburned combustible carbon particles and combustible gasses. The purpose of this redirection is to cause more complete combustion of these particles and gasses which make the locomotive more efficient and causes less visible smoke to be emitted from the stack. Without the arch, flames and visible smoke would be sucked straight into the firetubes without having been fully burned, causing visible smoke to be emitted at the stack. The brick arch and its supports (arch tubes, thermic syphons, and circulators) require periodic replacement due to the extreme heat they endure."
"There is a large brick arch (made from fire brick) the front third to half of the firebox. It is supported on arch tubes, thermic syphons, or circulators. The brick arch directs heat, flames, and smoke back over the fire towards the rear of the firebox. Visible smoke contains unburned combustible carbon particles and combustible gasses. The purpose of this redirection is to cause more complete combustion of these particles and gasses which make the locomotive more efficient and causes less visible smoke to be emitted from the stack. Without the arch, flames and visible smoke would be sucked straight into the firetubes without having been fully burned, causing visible smoke to be emitted at the stack. The brick arch and its supports (arch tubes, thermic syphons, and circulators) require periodic replacement due to the extreme heat they endure."
The brick arch supports the tubes steel walls and serves to direct smoke. They also serve to protect the lining from the several thousand degree fire which could melt through metal. The bricks allow more complete incineration before exhausting through the tubes and up the stack. If I remember correctly they may help reduce the amount of loose Carbon released (what makes smoke look really black.)
Saturnr
Saturnr
ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The purpose of the Brick Arch in a steam locomotive’s firebox is to increase the distance that gasses travel, before entering the fire-tubes through the boiler, so as to allow more time for those gasses to burn, and hence to provide more heat inside the locomotive, and increase efficiency.last week's question said:
This weeks question:
What is the purpose of the ‘exhaust steam ejector’ on many British steam locomotives?
ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The purpose of the exhaust steam ejector, fitted to many British steam locomotives, is to create a vacuum, which is used to apply the brakes on trains fitted with ‘vacuum’ type brakes.last week's question said:
This weeks question:
What is the purpose of a ‘clerestory’ roof on a passenger carriage?
Light and Ventilation? Particularly before the advent or addition of Electric Lights or Fans.
-Falcus
Yes, a clerestory roof is in place for ventilation (old train carriages were traditionally quite hot) and so oil lamps were not always necessary. When onboard air conditioning (mechanical) was invented, a large air duct was run down either side of the clerestory, turning the windows into register vents, and a smooth outer skin was placed over both the ducts, making the car an arch roof, or "turtle back".
Saturnr
Saturnr
MeowRailroad
CKRail
Some only have the partial arched roof which looks really cool.
ZecMurphy
Community Assistant
The purpose of a ‘clerestory’ roof on a passenger carriage is to allow extra light into the carriage, and often to provide ventilation, particularly in hot weather.last week's question said:
This weeks question:
Which modern shipping company uses the same color paint as the original Pullman company? - Question submitted by Trainboi1