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Smoke deflectors were used extensively on steam locomotives in Europe and to some extent in this country. They appear as large baffles on each side of the smoke box. Does anyone know how they worked and what they did?
------------------ Don K
Posts: 2 | From: Fredericksburg VA USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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Both the Union Pacific and the New york Central had those reflectors. If you have a Walthers catalog handy, the 4-8-4(FEF) Northern for the UP is listed by Rivarossi and the 4-8-4 Niagara for the New york Central is listed by Bachmann. Hope this gets you started on the right track.
Posts: 213 | From: Grand Rapids Mi USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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DK, sorry didn't go far enough back into my library. The Union Pacific still operates their 4-8-4 with reflectors on Steam excursions out of Denver, Cheyenne to Salt Lake, Sacramento etc. There are also Videos of these railfan trips made by Pentrex of Pasadena Ca. Need more infor, just blow your whistle. Chuck locomotive2@hotmail.com
Posts: 213 | From: Grand Rapids Mi USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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The purpose of smoke deflectors was to channel the exhaust higher into the air over the top of the boiler so it did not blow back and obscure the engineer's vision. At slow speeds the force of the exhausting steam was sufficient to elevate the smoke high enough, but at speed additional impetus was needed. This is why you only see smoke deflectors in the US on passenger or fast freight locomotives. By the way, D&H used them on 4-6-2's and 4-8-4's and NKP used them on its 4-6-4's. NYC had 4-8-2's (Mohawks) with "elephant ears" (smoke delectors) as well.
Posts: 23 | From: Florida | Registered: Sep 2001
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