Builder Plate Conundrum - photo

[NW Mailing List]

With the photos, now I’m curious about the smokebox extension, which all the images illustrate. 

I’m curious, was this a modification to improve front end performance (better drafting)? If so, how did the extension help? 

These old-timers smokeboxes were so much smaller front-to-rear than twenties and later locomotives. Setting aside superheater headers and feed water heaters, I would image the extra volume would provide some “spring” to the gas flow, perhaps evening out the draft?

Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US  

> On Feb 27, 2022, at 4:41 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Jim, I had thought of that idea too. It's a good one.
> 
> i.e. when the G 2-8-0 #256 was converted to G2 #256 0-8-0T in 1920 - that they created a new ROA Shops plate reflecting the reuse of boiler No.47 (or just smokebox) off F #169 2-8-0 with the original frame and running gear off G #256. However, I had always assumed that a builder plate reflected BOTH the boiler's no. and boiler's built date. Maybe this plate is different/unique.
> 
> Here's the arrangement drawing for the standard Class G 0-8-0T switcher. This is NOT a G2. Note: No room for a dynamo between the headlight and stack.
> 
> https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=33110
> 
> 
> 
> Mike, Sorry about that. Here's the link to 'after' (i.e. the only loco in the G2 Class)
> 
> https://www.nwhs.org/archivesdb/detail.php?ID=72444
> 
> For 'before' just search Class F or G photos in database.
> 
> John Garner
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Perhaps I missed it, but can someone attach pictures of the before and
> after locomotives in question so this  discussion will be easier to follow?
> 
> Mike Rector
> 
> On Sun, Feb 27, 2022 at 8:17 AM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> wrote:
> 
>> Maybe it is just me, but I don't see any difference in the length of the
>> smokebox. The headlight just gets moved forward. However consider this: N&W
>> seemed to relate shop numbers to boilers rather than running gear. So we
>> could be seeing a reboiler, and the "new" Roanoke Shops plate gives the
>> number for the boiler and the date for the running gear. Makes as much
>> sense as any other idea that has been proposed.
>> Jim Nichols
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