A totally dumb question about steam....

[D.Beachel]

Why do stean locos "Puff" from the smoke stack when they operate?

I don't know why in the world the fire smoke puffs every time a piston reaches the end of its stroke. Does the steam vent into the fire box somehow?

Call me stupid, I can't figure this one out.

Thanks.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

The spent steam from the piston exhausts into the smokebox to help with the draft.  It also explains why simple steam locomotives have a sharper exhaust than compounds.

[nanaimo73]

If you would like to do some reading about it, try this-

http://www.nymr.demon.co.uk/works/works.htm

[michaelstevens]

Dale

 Thanks for the link to the North Yorshire Moors Railway  --  one which inexplicably is not on the

http://www.tadlane.com/rrlinks.htm#toc   TrainNet listing.

[nanaimo73]

Michael,

You're welcome, and thanks for posting that link.

[edkowal]

Dale

 Thanks for the link to the North Yorshire Moors Railway  --  one which inexplicably is not on the

http://www.tadlane.com/rrlinks.htm#toc   TrainNet listing.

British Mike:

  You can remedy that deficiency by going to the TrainNet website and giving them the URL.

 

 -Ed 

[edkowal]

D.Beachel:

 There's almost no such thing as a totally dumb question about anything.

  If you don't know the answer, it's a valid question.

 -Ed

[michaelstevens]

Ed,

Perhaps you could try it  --  all I get is some recruitment rigamarole for their Email carrier.

Thanks

[edkowal]

British Mike:

 Okay, I'll try and see what happens.

 ( I used to be a member of the TrainNet staff, ages ago.... )

 -Ed 

[D.Beachel]

Thanks for the answer and the link...That explains it...

[Anonymous]

 The only dumb questions on this forum is when they ask a question ... then state they already made up their mind before answered ! Seen a few of those here .