844 steam release

[Anonymous]

Greetings

I am curious about the valve on the fireman's side of the 844 up near the front of the firebox. I have seen an image recently of steam shooting out of this valve about 20-30 feet out. There is a handle that is pinned down when its closed. What is this valves particular function.


thanks

[Hugh Jampton]

I think you're on about the cylinder cocks. They're mainly used to allow any water that has condensed out from the steam to be drained off to prevent hydraulicing. They're mainlky opened when the loco is stationary. If the throttle is opened while the cocks are open then steam flows through the cylinders and out the pipe, producing a great horizontal plume of steam.

[jchnhtfd]

and they make a great show for the fans watching the engine, too!

[Anonymous]

Nope I know what cylinder cocks are
http://www.trainshots.us/gallery/Steam/P5050061?full=1
http://www.trainshots.us/gallery/Steam/P5050052


Steam came out of here

[dldance]

I suspect it is a boiler blowdown valve mostly used for clearing mud and scale out of the boiler. Some of the chemical additives to soften the water produce a percipitate that needs to be cleaned out periodically - otherwise it interfers with steam production.

dd



dd

[athelney]

Would have to agree that it's a blow down valve -- we have similar on CPR # 2860

[Hugh Jampton]

if you'd have put the picture up to begin with we could have all seen that it's a blow down valve.