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What are these on the front of the engine?

Posted by dfocht

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 9:58 AM

I've seen these details on the front of locomotives before and I have an old Rivarossi C&O 2-8-2 that has these on the front as well.

What the heck are they and what do they do?

http://www.chessieshop.com/gallery/showphoto.pl?id=41457

Thanks,
Doug Focht
[:)]

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 12:15 PM

Those are smokebox-mounted air pumps for the braking system.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul

Posted by dfocht

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 12:44 PM

Cool. Thanks!

Were these in addition to the existing braking system?
Perhaps for mountainous areas or for pulling heavier heavier loads?

Posted by trainboyH16-44

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 3:39 PM

I think that they are the entire braking system, just in a different place.
Matthew

Go here for my rail shots! http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=9296

Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/

Posted by TomDiehl

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 3:49 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by dfocht

Cool. Thanks!

Were these in addition to the existing braking system?
Perhaps for mountainous areas or for pulling heavier heavier loads?

Because of the large boiler diameter and clearance issues, some locomotives were designed and built with pumps up front like this or even on the pilot deck. Many on the pilot deck had shrouds and an air cooler between them. It wasn't unusual for larger locomotives to have two double stage air pumps for the braking system, regardless of where they were mounted.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to. Chief of Sanitation; Clowntown

Posted by coborn35

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 3:50 PM

They are what we now call air compressors.

Mechanical Department "No no that's fine shove that 20 pound set all around the yard... those shoes aren't hell and a half to change..."

The Missabe Road: Safety First

Posted by dfocht

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 8:22 PM

It's great to finally know.

Thanks everyone![:D]

Posted by Anonymous

on Wed, Nov 16 2005 8:33 PM

AAWWWW, everyone beat me[:(!]

Yeah, dfocht, that is pretty much all there is to know about those things.

WELCOME [#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] to the forums by the way.