Lima 0-4-0 switcher does it run on mirrors??????

[hopper]

The last issue of Classic Trains on an article on "Canned heat at the Cash." It was about a fireless steam engine. How does that work..?????? Is steam pumped in under pressure like you would do with a propane tank ?????? Thanks Easter.

[PBenham]

Not quite, but close. A "fireless cooker" uses up steam gradually over up to four hours or so,depending upon the amount of work it needs to do. Steam is pumped in to the "boiler", from a source of steam, usually a fixed boiler. As the fireless engine works, the pressure of the steam drops, as does the boiling point of the water still in the fireless engine's boiler, providing more steam to continue to operate the engine until there is not enough steam available in the "boiler". This required some knowledge of the engine's capabilities to time out the engine's available steam, then run to the boiler house for a fresh shot of water and steam at pressure. Fireless cookers were very heavily insulated, but if it had a lot of work to do, or a steam leak,well...

[hopper]

hey benham,thanks for the input,now I get it.

[PBenham]

Glad to oblige. I had a few chances to watch Dunlop tire's 0-4-0 fireless cooker way back when, and wondered how it functioned. There have been numerous expinations printed since, such as in the current TRAINS. Now, do I get some thing for that shameless plug?

[train18393]

If you like you can go to Carillon Park in Dayton Ohio, near the old National Cash Register "campus" and see the Rubicon fireless cooker in person and up close. It does not operate, but it is indoors and in great shape. At least it was there last time I was there. From what I understand they filled it with very hot water(over 212) that was under pressure so it was not over the boiling point until the pressure was decreased by using some of the steam that was in the "boiler". That was inferred previously, but I just wanted to let you know there is such a beast in existance today.

 

Paul.