Trains.com

A bit of coal firing practice this evening

1522 views
7 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2012
  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
  • 1,463 posts
A bit of coal firing practice this evening
Posted by emdmike on Saturday, May 7, 2022 10:08 PM

The weather and free time finally paired up when the wind calmed this evening.  So, out comes my Riverdale Elke coal fired live steamer for some practice.  Coal firing is very "hands on" and must be learned via lots of practice.  You cannot learn it from a book or a youtube video.  Although those videos are a good basis to get started.  Since I last ran this engine, I have added a SSP Slomo inertia device, Regner whistle kit, Regner lanterns and etched builder/name/number plates from Narrow Planet.   The tender is from Roundhouse Engineering.  I ran my gas fired Roundhouse Billy after dark as he has working lights.  Here is a short video of Elke, still learning my new phone, so not my best video.  

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

  • Member since
    February 2013
  • 916 posts
Posted by PVT Kanaka on Saturday, May 7, 2022 11:06 PM

I always enjoy your videos, Mike!  You have such a wonderful blend of dedication to craft and pure joy in your live steam series!

 

Eric

  • Member since
    July 2009
  • From: lavale, md
  • 4,677 posts
Posted by gregc on Sunday, May 8, 2022 7:01 AM

emdmike
You cannot learn it from a book

the Reading RR at had one - Firing the Steam Locomotive.   found it interesting, made me realize how challenging a job it was

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

  • Member since
    August 2021
  • 244 posts
Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, May 8, 2022 9:08 AM

Mike,

nice steamer! I remember those stories the old time firemen would tell. Different classes of engines would fire differently due to the size and shape of the firebox.

So, enjoy!

Paul

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
  • 1,463 posts
Posted by emdmike on Sunday, May 8, 2022 10:07 AM

Yep, I first learned to fire on NKP 587 back when she was operational in the 1990s. While she had a stoker, it was prone to failing and usually on the uphill run from the fairgrounds back to the museum grounds during fairtrain.  So, you got a quick and hard lesson in "hand bombing" a USRA light Mikado. Over the period of a typical run, the firemen would shovel several tons of coal into the firebox.  Defiatly not a job you could get anybody to in these days of "safe rooms" and "snowflakes"   Same can be said of my first 2 "jobs" on the farm, bailing hay and stacking in the barn loft, and detassling corn.  

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

  • Member since
    August 2021
  • 244 posts
Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Sunday, May 8, 2022 12:24 PM

I rode behind the doubleheader of 587 and 765 out of Calumet yard to Argos, Indiana at the convention in Chicago in '93. Got a souvenir cinder in my eye!

Paul

  • Member since
    November 2012
  • From: Kokomo, Indiana
  • 1,463 posts
Posted by emdmike on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 10:10 AM

I remember railfanning those runs when she double headed.  Good old times, shame we may never see that again in our lifetime.  I am more looking forward to the PRR K4 and the T1 coming to life than hope for 587 at this point

 

Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome

  • Member since
    August 2021
  • 244 posts
Posted by Swiss-Colorado-Lines on Tuesday, May 10, 2022 2:55 PM

I was lucky to see K4 1361 run in York in'88. We did not know at that time, but her return to steam would prove short and sweet. Would love that experience again!

Pau

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Garden Railways magazine. Please view our privacy policy