Oil, coal or wood?
Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2021 5:36 pm
I have a query concerning some of the oddest locos to run on standard gauge.
In 1880 and 1882 ten small 0-4-0 well tanks were built at Crewe (pardon my language). When I say "small" I mean "small" - 19ft 0.5in long, less than 11ft high to the top of a tall outsize dome. They had no cab, but platforms, plural, driver and fireman being placed at opposite ends. But one used in Liverpool Docks had a bell and a full-length sideless canopy complete with shedplate bracket, so at least the driver knew where to park for the night.
And they burnt oil. Or most of them did, because at some point, probably under the care of the LMS, two were reboilered as coal burners, though they may have been built as such. This is what I read, but a photo of one of the pair (p15 of "Locomotives Illustrated" 122 on 0-4-0Ts) plainly shows logs on the floor.
My question is: can I conclude these two locos were wood- rather than coal-burners or might either fuel be used on a loco that would no doubt spend most of its day stationary? And can I assume oil is out of the question on a loco that can burn wood?
I've never met an oil-burning steam loco, so I would welcome answers from anyone who has.
Thanks
Kudu
In 1880 and 1882 ten small 0-4-0 well tanks were built at Crewe (pardon my language). When I say "small" I mean "small" - 19ft 0.5in long, less than 11ft high to the top of a tall outsize dome. They had no cab, but platforms, plural, driver and fireman being placed at opposite ends. But one used in Liverpool Docks had a bell and a full-length sideless canopy complete with shedplate bracket, so at least the driver knew where to park for the night.
And they burnt oil. Or most of them did, because at some point, probably under the care of the LMS, two were reboilered as coal burners, though they may have been built as such. This is what I read, but a photo of one of the pair (p15 of "Locomotives Illustrated" 122 on 0-4-0Ts) plainly shows logs on the floor.
My question is: can I conclude these two locos were wood- rather than coal-burners or might either fuel be used on a loco that would no doubt spend most of its day stationary? And can I assume oil is out of the question on a loco that can burn wood?
I've never met an oil-burning steam loco, so I would welcome answers from anyone who has.
Thanks
Kudu