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Re: Question for Hot Water Evil UMW? Evil California????? Isn't there really a "simpler" explanation?
Author: legitimate question
Date: 05-05-2019 - 21:15
Can you point me at a regulation that prohibits burning of coal in a museum or excursion steam locomotive? Especially one operated by a federally-regulated railroad. I don't know of any, and can't find any in a cursory search of ARB and my local air district rulebooks.
At the railfairs in Sacramento, there was plenty of coal being burnt, though not of course in 3985 or 844 which by then had long since been converted to oil. It's just much simpler to use oil (diesel fuel, actually) for steam engines that will run long distances.
It's also getting hard to find good steam coal. Those who buy it in small amounts (various live steam recreational operations) are converting small steamers to oil or propane because it's easier to get and works better. It also has benefits in terms of less mess in general. Yes, air districts might "encourage" some full-time recreational live steamer to convert, but I still don't know of any rules requiring it - pointers to actual regs would be welcome.
At the railfairs in Sacramento, there was plenty of coal being burnt, though not of course in 3985 or 844 which by then had long since been converted to oil. It's just much simpler to use oil (diesel fuel, actually) for steam engines that will run long distances.
It's also getting hard to find good steam coal. Those who buy it in small amounts (various live steam recreational operations) are converting small steamers to oil or propane because it's easier to get and works better. It also has benefits in terms of less mess in general. Yes, air districts might "encourage" some full-time recreational live steamer to convert, but I still don't know of any rules requiring it - pointers to actual regs would be welcome.
