Black powder

[bigpianoguy]

I have a Bachmann Spectrum J4-8-4, N&W. It came with a small bag of black powder. Is this for locomotive function, or is it to take the 'shine' off the 'coal' in the tender (as I suspect)?

Thanks,                                                                                                                                                                                     Paul

[jeffrey-wimberly]

bigpianoguy

I have a Bachmann Spectrum J4-8-4, N&W. It came with a small bag of black powder. Is this for locomotive function, or is it to take the 'shine' off the 'coal' in the tender (as I suspect)?

Thanks,                                                                                                                                                                                     Paul

It's been about thirty years but even when I ran steam some locos came with a bag of black powder that would be used on the tender coal load. Spread some glue on the coal load and sprinkle the powder on it.

[tstage]

It's for blasting holes for tunnels in your Appalachian diorama.

Tom

[mobilman44]

I've never heard of this before, and suggest that if it is to be used on the loco you would find reference to it in the directions.

One thing it may also be is dessicant..............

[galaxy]

Although I have never recieved such a thing {oh wait, I did on my spectrum SY Mikado} It has always been my understaning that is was to be glued to the tender to simulate real coal.

[stilson4283]

How small is this bag and is it in plastic or cotton bag? Is it the bag of drying material to keep moisture out of the packaging?

 

Chris

[Railphotog]

The small amount of black powder in the plastic bag included in Bachmann's steam locos is intended for use as coal dust, etc., on  the models as you wish.   No great mystery, but it should be noted in their instructions/plans.

 

 

 

[tomikawaTT]

And here I expected this to be a thread about pre-nitroglycerine, pre smokeless powder explosives.

Can't say about the Bachmann product, but the appearance of coal differs from place to place.  Camelbacks were fueled with anthracite, which was shiny.  Powder River sub-bituminus looks like (and can be simulated with) pool filter charcoal.  Coal dust of all kinds is pretty dull.

I once encountered a locomotive that had been fueled with little pillow-shaped coal briquettes - rather like charcoal briquettes, but made with coal dust.  They were commonly used in Japan in the 1950s as home heating fuel.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[P&Slocal]

Whew, I thought someone was about to blow up their railroad! Due to my other hobby I have many pounds of the explosive stuff in my basement right across from my very slowly progressing layout. If I ever have a fire I would say more that a tunnel will be blasted. Most likely part of the house will go too.

[MisterBeasley]

P&Slocal

Whew, I thought someone was about to blow up their railroad! Due to my other hobby I have many pounds of the explosive stuff in my basement right across from my very slowly progressing layout. If I ever have a fire I would say more that a tunnel will be blasted. Most likely part of the house will go too.

Whew, really?  We have a small shed in the back yard.  I use it to store all the flammable stuff that one accumulates - kerosene, lawn mower gas, propane tanks and so on.  For sure, I wouldn't store explosives in the house.  We've had too many tales of people who have lost their homes to careless smoking or defective coffee makers.

Dung happens.  Get that stuff out of there.

[richg1998]

My Spectrum's came with the bag. Below is what I received with my 4-6-0. Obvious Man told me that it has something to do with the steam loco and to use my imagination for what I can do with the black powder. Not a big deal.

Rich