Train Trivia 4/3/06 (ANSWERED)

[Anonymous]

It refers to the plume of steam from the safety valves when the boiler pressure is high.

[andrechapelon]

If you're showing a white feather, it means that there is steam coming from the safety valve(s) on a steam locomotive.

Of course, this is indicative of high boiler pressure.

Andre

[Walter Clot]

I agree.

[Anonymous]

[#ditto]

[beegle55]

[#ditto][#ditto]

[tomikawaTT]

Actually, the white feather is that little stream of steam that shows just before the safeties lift and lose you a dozen pounds of steam pressure, so, for the fireman, trying to keep the pressure right there is sort of like trying to balance on a tightrope.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Yep.