Steam engine electricity

[tatans]

Not that there are not enough different parts and systems to a steam locomotive, as a child(and teen) and spending a bit of time close to steam locomotives I remember light bulbs in the cab and a couple outside(what were these for?) and of course headlights etc. Just how was the electricity generated to power these lights? some kind of steam turbine ???  any help out there? ?

[ndbprr]

Exactly right.  A small turbine turned a generator that made the elctricity.  On PRR engines you will see it generally on top of the boiler right in front of the stack or on a shelf on the top half of the front of the engine smokebox.  It had a little 3/4" exhaust line that stuck up from it about 6" and of course wires coming from it.