Ohio observer Wrote:
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> IF 4014 was ever actually loaded to maximum
> tonnage, one must wonder if the oil burner
> conversion would be able to maintain full boiler
> pressure for an extended period of time. Used
> motor oil probably doesn’t have as many BTUs as
> bunker C. I recall reading a story about SP&S 700
> not being able to maintain full steam pressure on
> a extended pull on a 2.2% grade. By the time they
> got to the top of the hill the boiler pressure was
> down to about 200 pounds. This incident occurred
> on a 2002 excursion on Montana Rail Link.

Back then, the 700 folks were still trying to use Bunker fuel. The main problem was, they didn't know how to fire nor properly run #700. Handling the same excursion train, a year or so later, SP 4449 had no problems even using waste oil for fuel.