I grew up on a B&O branchline south of Zanesville,OH along the Muskingum River. One of the places it serviced was a large power plant owned by Ohio Power. The plant operated an 0-6-0 switcher that worked on "canned steam", known locally as "The Dinky" . It had no fire in it; it was attached periodically to a steam hose within the plant and recharged like a Thermos bottle. It would shift loaded and empty coal hoppers where needed. Every once in a while the operator would stay out too long in the yard and wouldn't make it back. He then was the subject of much hilarity and ribbing, since it would have to sit until one of the B&O's Consolidations could tow or push it into the plant. I wonder, how prevalent was the use of these engines? Is there anyone else in the Forum familiar with this concept? I don't recall it being externally any different from any other engine; if you modeled it, would any small details be apparent? Oh,yes. Another thought: It was almost silent. It would glide eerily along. I remember my father warning me about it. Unrelated: The power plant was over a half-mile long. One of my most powerful memories is of the long coal trains, headed up by one, two, and occasionally three hard-pulling Consolidations and Mikes, with their sound echoing and being multiplied thunderously off the side of the building. A sound lost forever!
Posted by bnsf (Member # 1971) on :
These 'fireless' locomotives were extremely popular in europe. In paticular germany including the former east. They were extensively used in gasworks/plants and anywhere there might be danger of a spark igniting any flammable gas. which of course a diesel or steam locomotive could do most easily. Most common wheel arrangements were 0-4-0 0-6-0 and a beast of an 0-10-0 that worked in berlin albeit briefly. My understanding is that a lot of these particular types of locomotives were destroyed in wars, because the types of industry where they were used were obvious targets. These types of motive power are once again gaining popularity. Factors like emissions and safety are now popular selling points.