The And Now For Something A Little Different feature in the Dec '09 Scale Rails shows photos of two of the Omaha Road’s 600 Class Pacifics, the largest ever produced by the way. Immediately in front of the cab there is what appears to be a “horse collar” extending from approximately the top of the firebox across the top of the boiler down to approximately the top of the firebox on the opposite side. At least directly atop the boiler this device occupies the position that the steam heat generator occupies on other passenger locomotives. Is this, in reality, a steam heat generator and why does it assume this peculiar shape? Was this device in this configuration unique to the CMO or did other roads utilize this design?
I think this is pretty easy, but a fair question to be sure. I had to go find the issue in question to be sure I understood.
That surely looks like nothing more than a cover for the injector valve and injector lifters and all their associated piping.
It is much more common to just see a small box at the top inclosing the injector valve, with all other associated piping exposed - or on some locos this piping was burried in the lagging and covered by the boiler jacket without the extra protrusion on the sides.
Others may know more about that loco specificly and my be able to offer more insights as to why?
Sheldon
The manifold that distributes steam to the loco’s appliances (turbo-generator, air pumps, blower, injectors etc.) is called a turret (and another name that can’t be repeated here). On smaller locomotives it is located inside the cab and thus does not show up in photos. On larger, more modern locos it is just forward of the cab wall and sometimes the cover extends over the injectors , all the way down to the running boards. Many NYC engines (Hudsons, for example) were like this.
By the way, why would a steam locomotive have a “steam heat generator”? I thought only diesels and some electrics had them. Perhaps your thinking of something else?
By the way, why would a steam locomotive have a “steam heat generator”? I thought only diesels and some electrics had them. Perhaps your thinking of something else?
A steam locomotive has a massive “steam heat generator”. It’s just that most people simply call it “the boiler”.
Andre
I’m not familiar with that particular locomotive, but it sounds like you’re referring to the shroud that was sometimes used to cover the injector and turret piping. The New York Central used them on a lot of their locos. Mine, pictured below, was copied from one of Central’s Hudsons:
Wayne
Yup, very similar to an NYC Hudson.
