I just got a new bluray video of the 844 and 4449 double heading out west. The thing that got my attention right away and throughout the video was the clean stack. Mainly white with occasion of a little grey but never black like soot see on so many videos of steam in modern times.
I think the very worst one for this is at the grand canyon rr when the 3 steamers are tripple heading, so black that it must have burned twice the amt of fuel as a clean stack.
What is the story of the black smoke.

In all, I'd think that oil burner smoke is easier to control than coal, especially these days when they use a better grade of oil than "Bunker C". If you see photos of 844/4935 putting out heavy black smoke, it's being done on purpose for the photographers. The only time that happened in regular service was when the flues were being sanded. Personally, I think a light grey haze is more photogenic.

KL

Kent,

Don't think UP 844 EVER doubleheaded with GG1 #4935!!!


Winky2,

The main reason you don't see much "black" smoke out of 4449 or 844 is that they both have VERY experienced and professional Firemen! Sure, you will see occasional "spurts" of black smoke when the flues are being sanded out, and the "white" vapor exhaust is pretty much due to the cooler ambiant temps, but there is no real excuse for lots of heavy black smoke (even during photo run-bys).

I never was good with numbers.

Mr. Webmaster have you ever been encouraged by video crews to put out tons of black smoke and if so did you do it?

quote:

Mr. Webmaster have you ever been encouraged by video crews to put out tons of black smoke and if so did you do it?

Yes and Yes.

I even lifted the pops right on cue in the middle of the New River Bridge once. Unfortunately that scene never made it into the film, which was "Matewan" with James Earl Jones.

careful rich admitting stuff like that might get you a starring role in al gores next film

We get those requests all the time on 4449, 844 & 3985. For actual photo run-bys, we'll "give 'em a little smoke" but NOT solid black clouds as shown on some of the recent photos of SP 2472 on the Niles Canyon. With a coal burning locomotive it is not quite as easy to control the specific smoke level during a photo run, but a good Fireman can certainly give them a good show while the locomotive is working hard.

quote:

Originally posted by kgrubb:
careful rich admitting stuff like that might get you a starring role in al gores next film

Gore may have been vp, earned a pulitzer and invented the internet, but my money's on Rich when it comes to overall credibility.

How's that for suckin' up !!!

quote:

Originally posted by classiclights:

quote:

Originally posted by kgrubb:
careful rich admitting stuff like that might get you a starring role in al gores next film

Gore may have been vp, earned a pulitzer and invented the internet, but my money's on Rich when it comes to overall credibility.

How's that for suckin' up !!!

can't argue with that

Green Frog also has "Rocky Mountain Steam Trains" (narrow gauge) in Blu-Ray; it's on my XMas list along with a Blu-Ray player.

Here's a clip:

http://www.greenfrog.com/RockyMtnSTM_bluray.shtml

I'm not affiliated with Green Frog in any way.

Paul S

I have greenfrog bluray of the narrow gauge and it is awsome. Not only the sharpest video around but fantastic shooting from spots that are not usually used. The train going around windy point shot from the track underneath it looking up is unreal.
Some of you may think this is stupid, but I got the bluray player just for the train videos.
Walmart had a sale on the sony model for 399.00 and then they gave you a plastic card for 100.00 in merchandise. Wife wanted to get stuff so I gave her the card and paid 299 for it.