For locomotives with steam driven augors that deliver coal via a screw conveyor to the engine, does the augor deliver it right into the firebox? It seems it would be too low and would need an air lift or another conveyor up into the firebox? How does that work?

When steam is emitted into the cylinder, it expands against the front side of the piston and pushes it back; the drive rod turns the wheel; does the sliding valve (what is it called?) above the cylinder move such that new steam is emitted onto the back side of the piston? I am trying to picture how that sliding valve moves back and forth allowing steam in and exhaust out, and how that cycle translates to turning the wheels. I know its all controlled from the valve gear which is controlled by the reverse lever, but I am not sure if steam is emitted on both sides of the piston during a cycle. It seems it would have to be.

Thanks.

Paul

Here are two websites with animations.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/steam1.htm

http://www.keveney.com/Locomotive.html

Thanks Joe.

That confirms/answers the second question.

Paul

Paul,
Check out this web site: Firing Steam Locomotives
Click on "Stokers" and away you go.

To answer your first question the screw conveyor delivers the coal to the "Pot" (a vertical shaft like a noended barrel). It arrives at the bottom and the coal is forced up to the top by the new coal arriving at the bottom. When it gets to the top it spills over the top edge. On the top there is a series of steam jets that blow the coal across the firebox. These jets have separate valves and by changing the setting of these valves the coal can be directed somewhat to different areas of the firebox as needed.
Ron

A cab-tour at Steamtown produced these pictures. Canadian National 3254.
Looking in the fire box at the bottom you should see the end of the auger. To the lower left in the corner of the picture is a small red handled valve that is one of the steam jets used to move the coal around.



Not as visible in the first picture but you can see how the burning coal is consistently even through out the fire box even in the corners. I was told there are (5) steam jets used to push the coal around.


The engineer and fireman allowed us this look but cautioned that when under way the drafting intensified the fire box heat dramaticly.

The design of the stoker feeder in this locomotive makes hand feeding somewhat difficult in that the shovels have to be lifted up over the stoker. This is done once at the end of the day when the fire is banked for the night when the locomotive is returned to the roundhouse.


A picture of 3254 from 2004

Thanks so much for the pics and links and explanations.

Paul

Yes, steam is emitted (and exhausted) on both sides of the spool-shaped piston - note that there are FOUR exhaust beats for each driver revolution - six on a 3-cylinder loco.

Kent

quote:

Originally posted by Paul J. Kallus:
Hi Paul, You wrote, "....does the sliding valve (what is it called?) above the cylinder move such that new steam is emitted onto the back side of the piston?
Thanks.

Paul

I believe, looking at a diagram in the book, "Superpower. The Making of a Steam Locomotive," by David Weitzman, that the part you are referring to is the "Steam chest head-back."

Frank

quote:

Ignored post by Mike CT posted January 23, 2008 04:10 PM Show Post

IM A VOULENTEER AT STEAMTOWN AND AM CO-ENGINEER ON 3254 SHE EATS THE COAL LIKE A BEAR AND IF I REMBER THERE ARE 4 STEAM JETS IN THE FIRE BOX