60163 -- Smoke Question

[Dampfmann]

I've noticed in the footage of the British steam locomotive 60163 the smoke coming from the stack (funnel) is always white. This seems in stark contrast to the dark smoke visible from many American steamers. I know black smoke caused by incomplete combustion. How does the fireman keep the 60163's smoke so white? Does the locomotive have any special features to aid coal combustion? Do they use a special coal? The videos of this locomotive are quite remarkable. Thanks, Martin P.S. Yes, I realize much of what is seen escaping from the 60163's funnel is steam.

[TomDiehl]

Dampfmann

I've noticed in the footage of the British steam locomotive 60163 the smoke coming from the stack (funnel) is always white. This seems in stark contrast to the dark smoke visible from many American steamers. I know black smoke caused by incomplete combustion. How does the fireman keep the 60163's smoke so white? Does the locomotive have any special features to aid coal combustion? Do they use a special coal? The videos of this locomotive are quite remarkable. Thanks, Martin P.S. Yes, I realize much of what is seen escaping from the 60163's funnel is steam.

 

You're right that the white "smoke" is primarily steam from the exhaust.

Most of the American footage you see is film taken for publicity or during the fantrip era. During these times, the operators of the fantrips felt that making a lot of smoke was "impressive" to the fans. During the steam era, an engineer and fireman could be penalized for making too much smoke. They would usually strive for a "clean stack" which would indicate more complete combustion of the fuel, which was usually coal. Soft coal was harder to burn clean than hard coal, but it could be done. The selection of coal was also a factor. A local (to me) example is the East Broad Top Railroad in Pennsylvania. Broad Top Coal was always sold as "smokeless" and came with instructions how to burn it like that in home furnaces. Of course the EBT used this coal in their locos and they almost always burned clean. When the Broad Top fields closed down, the EBT changed to coal from a field farther West in PA. They were definately more smoky during this time. A couple years ago, a small amount of coal was again being mined from the Broad Top fields (owned by the same family that owns and operates the EBT), and part of the agreement was to provide coal for the railroad. The EBT locos once again had clean stacks. The newest EBT loco was bought in 1920 and none have been upgraded for better coal combustion. They're pretty much restored "as built."

So the difference goes beyond just "American" or "European." It's a combination of the coal selection, as well as the skill of the fireman and engineer, to list just the major factors.