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Re: Fire Prevention Water Nozzles on Steam Locomotives
Author: John Sweetser
Date: 09-04-2018 - 13:34
The Southern Pacific used tie sprinklers on locomotives as a fire-prevention method according to a photo and caption on pg. 117 of the Sept. 21, 1942 issue of Life magazine. The caption stated: "Tie sprinkler on engine tender squirts water on ties to prevent fires. On down grades, partially applied brakes sometimes cause overheated wheels to shoot sparks and set fires to ties."
To see the photo and caption, go to: [books.google.com] and then click on words "Front Cover" on the upper right to get a drop-down table of contents, then go to the article "Railroads at War," which starts on pg. 112.
Until I see it mentioned in some old trade publication, I'm reluctant to accept the theory the sprinklers were used to wash sand off the rails.
To see the photo and caption, go to: [books.google.com] and then click on words "Front Cover" on the upper right to get a drop-down table of contents, then go to the article "Railroads at War," which starts on pg. 112.
Until I see it mentioned in some old trade publication, I'm reluctant to accept the theory the sprinklers were used to wash sand off the rails.
