Weather Preperations- Steam Era

[Sunset Limited]

During the steam era in the winter seasons, how did the engineer and fireman prepare themselves from the weathering elements? Also, majority of steam locos had a open cab and some had curtains to cover the back of the cab, what other ways were available to keep that cab warm.

[orsonroy]

Steam cabs generally were cold places during the depths of winter. You either roasted next to the firebox or froze everywhere else. Even some of the roads with "all-weather" cabs couldn't keep out the cold.

Crews would dress as warmly as possible, and stay out as little as possible. Curtains helped SOME, but not much (I once lived in a tent for three months during the winter; canvas doesn't help much!) Earmuffs, gloves, Carharts and big boots are your friend while working steam in the winter.

[route_rock]

Leaving the firebox door cracked a bit . Wearing all the clothes you can is good for any job outdoors. My steamer doesnt run in the depths of winter but one autumn it got to about 30 degrees outside and we dont have cab windows! So it was chilly. Best thing to do is snuggle up to the boiler.
I talked to the 261's crew when they were in town. Said that cab was good for normal winter days ( nothing too cold) but in any supre cold weather I have noticed even Dash 9's are cold around the edges.