The smokestack extender that the AT&SF used was a neat way to cause the smoke to rise up above the locomotive and train.
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| Posted by XE-50W on April 3, 2025 | |
Purpose of raised stacks was identical-to ?elephant-ears” smoke-lifters used-by UP, NYC, NKP and others – induce more draft and thus increase efficiency of fuel consumption for producing steam. Of-course AT&SF engineers had to be mindful of tunnels and other low overhead clearance items (through-trusses, overpasses, etc.) w/such appliances – features not obstructions for the latter fixed variety of side-mounted devices.
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The main purpose of the stack extension was to improve the draft in the firebox and increase locomotive horsepower.
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Hmmm....Most of my railroad books indicated that the purpose of the smokestack extender (and elephant ears) was to help deflect the smoke up and away from the locomotive and train keeping smoke away from engine crews and passengers. A brief search on the internet shows that smokestack extenders do help with the fire draft. It's neat to learn something new every day!
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| Posted by beano on April 7, 2025 | |
That what you call packing iron and staying on time. Tis a cool photo George. Hey, check out that extended smokestack. Just think how much tractive effort that baby has with the booster cut in to assist starting a long train in the various places along the route. 6420 ft. That is the elevation. Pretty high. 5280 ft is a mile. Those engines must have lungs of steel. That train looks like all heavy-weight cars. Rugged place.
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