White and Black Smoke

[NW Mailing List]

Black Smoke would have been bad for both reasons; pollution and more
important  to a railway because of the fuel cost impact, it was a waste
of fuel.  I'm at work this morning as I read this note.  I may not have
the wording exact ally correct, but in a MicoScale N&W steam locomotive
decal sets that I've used on my models there's is a decal that is placed
on the tender facing the locomotive cab for the engineer and fireman to
read that states, "Black Smoke Means Waste". 

 

Ed Painter - A Virginian from Narrows living in Russellville, AR.  

 

From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2008 5:43 AM
To: NW Mailing List
Subject: RE: White and Black Smoke

 

(Writing from Scotland) I recently watched a 1947 training film made by
one of the "Big Four" British railway companies, the London, Midland and
Scottish (LMS).  It was called "Little and Often" and was made to
instruct firemen in the art of firing a steam locomotive.  It was
detailed in the scientific explanation of combustion: such as exhaust
gases being fed back on to the fire to fully consume the combustible
materials.  So the answer to the question (I think!) is that black smoke
indicates poor stoking: it means that the fuel is not being completely
turned in to energy and the wasted carbon and gasses are being exhausted
through the chimney instead.  White or thin, gray smoke indicates
efficient firing.
 
In fact did I not read that the N&W authorities gave O Winston Link
permission to take his superb photos....but on the proviso that he did
not take pictures of locos belching out black smoke???
 
Best regards to all my friends on your side of the pond from a fan of
the N&W in the UK.
 
Phil Taylor
Stirlingshire
Scotland



________________________________

To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Subject: RE: White and Black Smoke
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:54:17 -0400
From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

I remember reading somewhere that the railroads could be fined if they
produced excessive black smoke in populated areas; a "smoke density"
chart was used to gauge the extent of the violation. Does anybody know
more about how that worked or any stories of "repeat offenders"? I
remember reading somewhere that you never wanted to leave Roanoke past
the N&W office buildings with black smoke because you might get spotted
by the president of the N&W and really catch an earful.

 

Mike Weeks

Charlotte, NC

 

-----Original Message-----
From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2008 8:27 AM
To: NW Mailing List
Subject: White and Black Smoke

 

Good morning.

 

I am not worried about my Arrow not arriving yet and will not be posting
when it arrives.

 

The purpose of my post this morning is to inquire as to why on many of
the programs that I watch on RFD TV (Trains and Locomotives) some of the
smoke is black and some is white.  What is the cause of this? Have a
great weekend and thank you in advance for any responses.

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