What's That Chuffing Noise?

[BigBoyFan4006]

I've noticed that some steam engines make a slow, soft chuffing sound when they aren't moving. Anyone know why? It's always mystified me.

 

[JCitron]

Do you mean in TS12 or in real life? This maybe the release of extra steam from the boiler or cylinders to keep the pressure at a certain level. If this is the case, then this is being emulated in TS12.

John

 

[JIb228]

Air pumps, possibly.

 

[BigBoyFan4006]

Do you mean in TS12 or in real life? This maybe the release of extra steam from the boiler or cylinders to keep the pressure at a certain level. If this is the case, then this is being emulated in TS12.

John

Real life. (This is in Prototype Talk for a reason.) I would think that a release valve would be used for steam release.

Air pumps, possibly.

Could be.

 

[kws4000]

I've noticed that some steam engines make a slow, soft chuffing sound when they aren't moving. Anyone know why? It's always mystified me.

Almost certainly the air pumps. However, larger loks also have an automatic stoker. There are very few reciprocating parts on a steamer that are not related directly to the main motion. A gentle whoosh is the blower, a whine is the turbogenerator. Any other sounds can only come from internal noises in water injection, boiling, or passive lubrication, creaks and pops notwithstanding due to termal expansion, and the roar of the fire.

 

[captainkman]

In the video of mine embedded below, the loco in the beginning has a constant chuffing noise when idle (heard most prominently in the 2nd and 3rd clips). That is the air compressor for the brakes, which can be seen in the first clip in the video, mounted on the running board just in front of the cab. There is also a constant whirring which is the generator which generates electricity for the headlights and the carriage lighting. You can see it between the sandbox and dome, on the boiler.

Kieran.

 

[BigBoyFan4006]

Thanks for the replies, guys! I never though that the air compressor was that loud.