Dear Jeff, I have in operation my new elevated track. It's almost as long as it high. It's 19' X 29' because I just don't have any more room. It's super level having a plus or minus of .75 mm. It has a swing up 60" long bridge so that the center part of the oval is accessible as that's all my garden (yard) I have. About your doubts. Here's my reply to your coal questions, by numbers:
1- Sometimes. 2- Sometimes. 3- Depends on the carbon content of the coal. 4- Once in a while. You might consult with Dr. Phil. 5- I don't blame you. 6- If the issue is a situation why it could be. 7- This is true of Z and N gauge 4 8 8 4 engines on a cold windy day on up hill runs. I hope this information settles your mind. Arthur Mexico City Subject: Coal fired loco design details > I'm excitedly awaiting the delivery of the first of 12 kits for my John > Barrett coal-fired Atlantic, starting this Spring and am contemplating > some questions about "typical" coal-fired Ga1 locos. I figured that > learned subscribers to this message board will have knowledge and > opinions of value. To wit: > > 1. Do Ga1 coal fireboxes typically have water legs on the sides and > back of the firebox? > > 2. If not, is burn-through ever an issue? > > 3. Should I expect a limited lifetime for the boiler, considering the > significantly higher combustion temperatures of coal and corrosiveness > of combustion products, compared to my butane experience? > > 4. I imagine that the smokebox of coal fired locos is also very hot. I > witnessed blistered paint on Tony Dixon's Duchess as proof! Does this > cause other grief with high temperatures near the cylinders, pilot > trucks, frame, etc? > > 5. The kits come unpainted. What are your experiences with paint types > for hot-hot-hot surfaces? I'm hoping for more variety than BBQ black! > > 6. Is there any issue with cinders getting back into the cylinders > through the exhaust and scoring the cylinders? > > 7. Has anyone done any scientific tests of various coals to prove lower > clinker-formation, higher BTU/lb, etc? It seems to me that low residue > is perhaps the most important feature of coal for Ga1 locos. > > Thanks for your collective wisdom! >
