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Re: Fire Prevention Water Nozzles on Steam Locomotives
Author: Hot Water
Date: 09-03-2018 - 16:07
Dale Jones Wrote:
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> While working on my Spokane International Railroad
> book, I came across a photo of a steam locomotive
> crossing the wooden Howe Trestle at Bonners Ferry,
> ID. with the engineer looking down at what appears
> to be steel pipe water nozzles spraying water
> right behind the driver wheels. It's obvious that
> it is for fire prevention, but I'm curious if this
> was a common practice for steam railroads to equip
> their steam engines with water spray nozzles.
> Maybe this practice was unique to the Spokane
> International?
>
> Thank you in advance for any input.
>
> Talk to ya later,
> Dale Jones
> [railroads-of-montana.com]
Well, you are wrong about it being "obvious that it is for fire prevention". Many, many, MANY railroads had boiler water sprayers right behind the rear/last drive wheel, in order to spray/wash the traction sand off the rail head. By washing the rail head completely clean, there was less rolling resistance for the following train. It had nothing to do with "fire prevention"!
-------------------------------------------------------
> While working on my Spokane International Railroad
> book, I came across a photo of a steam locomotive
> crossing the wooden Howe Trestle at Bonners Ferry,
> ID. with the engineer looking down at what appears
> to be steel pipe water nozzles spraying water
> right behind the driver wheels. It's obvious that
> it is for fire prevention, but I'm curious if this
> was a common practice for steam railroads to equip
> their steam engines with water spray nozzles.
> Maybe this practice was unique to the Spokane
> International?
>
> Thank you in advance for any input.
>
> Talk to ya later,
> Dale Jones
> [railroads-of-montana.com]
Well, you are wrong about it being "obvious that it is for fire prevention". Many, many, MANY railroads had boiler water sprayers right behind the rear/last drive wheel, in order to spray/wash the traction sand off the rail head. By washing the rail head completely clean, there was less rolling resistance for the following train. It had nothing to do with "fire prevention"!
