R.I.P. Scout26
Diesel electric locomotives are started in one of two ways:1. Most commonly, an electric starter motor run off batteries or a pony cart. 2. Air power replaces the battery to turn the starter motor or, in some cases, air is piped into the cylinders to turn the engine. Once it was up to speed, fuel was introduced and the engine fired. This way is apparently obsolete. Good information here: http://www.railway-technical.com/trains/rolling-stock-index-l/diesel-locomotives/
Air start on the 4, 12-278a GM Diesel/Electric Generators I worked on in the Navy. I'm 6'1" and that puppy was a good deal taller than I was! It had 12, 278 cu. in. cylinders, was 2-stroke with 4 overhead exhaust valves and piston port intakes at the bottom of the cylinders.
Bet I could make that fit in an El Camino.Brad
Big Boy just steamed 5 blocks from house, even standing 35' feet from the crossing, the heat was almost too much to bear for very long. Nice hearing a steam whistle in town for the afternoon.
Heat from what? The ejected steam?
The boiler, it was pulling slow up a long hill.
More likely the firebox and/or smokebox. The boiler is covered in insulation.
Ever stood near a steam locomotive at operating temps?
Yeah, the boiler is covered in insulation... but it by no means stops the heat from radiating. A locomotive that's been fired and working puts off a tremendous amount of heat. ...
Nope. Those things are mostly extinct.
Yes, the insulation is lagging.Terry
The insulation is lagging what? Lagging behind the train? BBBBBBBBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWWWHAHAHAHA!I'm here for the rest of your lives, folks!