Just got my BLI Big Boy and found a smoke stack deflector (hood) in a small parts bag in the box. Question is where, when, and on which Big Boys did the UP use the smoke deflector?
Aditionally, did the UP run any Big Boys without a front coupler.
I have looked around at least 6 Big Boy web sites and cannot find a picture of a 4-8-8-4 fitted with the smoke deflector and without a front coupler.
My understanding of the "smoke hoods" on the Big Boys, they were to prevent Stack Blast Damage to tunnel linings.
The Big Boys all had "Swing Out" front couplers, with a swinging pilot section to conceal them when not needed, giving a "Cleaner" appearance compared to the coupler in the ready to use position. This would have been more of a consideration on a Passenger Locomotive such as the "800" Class FEF's. The couplers would be left in the ready to use position more often as the Locomotives aged, and the couplers and swing gates would get more difficult to move as the got older and dirty, and it served no practical purpose to have them concealed on a freight Locomotive.
Doug
May your flanges always stay BETWEEN the rails
challenger3980 wrote: My understanding of the "smoke hoods" on the Big Boys, they were to prevent Stack Blast Damage to tunnel linings. The Big Boys all had "Swing Out" front couplers, with a swinging pilot section to conceal them when not needed, giving a "Cleaner" appearance compared to the coupler in the ready to use position. This would have been more of a consideration on a Passenger Locomotive such as the "800" Class FEF's. The couplers would be left in the ready to use position more often as the Locomotives aged, and the couplers and swing gates would get more difficult to move as the got older and dirty, and it served no practical purpose to have them concealed on a freight Locomotive. Doug
They're all there. Smoke deflectors on Big Boys could fold down next to the stack. They rolled on a track.
-Morgan
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
If there are no dogs in heaven,then I want to go where they go.