Re: Fire Tools #537
Posted by Mike Trent on Mar 19, 2024; 6:31pm
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Fire-Tools-tp19512p19516.html
A few comments about #537. As the only engine of this type on the C&S, it had its own characteristics which caused the firemen to have to make changes in their routine to fire it. Firemen on the East End between Denver and Como were out of Denver, where they all had worked larger Standard Gauge engines with wide, square fireboxes. On the West End, every engine the firemen had worked had long, narrow fireboxes. So when they got #537, they all had to figure out how to deal with that wide firebox. Doug said that they could just throw coal in there, and make sure they had it spread the way the engine liked it, and if they did it right, they could "practically fire it sitting down". But when Denver sent up loads of Trinidad coal, it always made firing more difficult on all the engines, but especially the way they had to fire #537. Ed Haley gave me a wonderful 3/4 rear print of the left side and it was super helpful. It showed the rear of the cab, and three fire tools. To bring up details, I used a small device called a linen tester, which had a magnifying lens in its own frame which filed open and allowed light under the lens from all directions. Placing the tester over a print gave an excellent view of about a 1" square area. These may be available on ebay. I wish I knew where mine is now. It was extremely helpful. especially in the days before this kind of magic could be done on a computer. Another advantage was that with the linen tester sitting over an area I was trying to glean detail from, it was perfectly placed on my work surface and all I had to do was put my eye to the lens to make sure what I was seeing there was what I was trying to accomplish on the model. Yes! They are available on eBay. Search for "Fabric Linen Tester". For a mere sum of $9.05, you should add this to your tools! It works on printed photos also, but it is wonderful on real prints. It was with this little device I found the almost invisible round handle of the clinker hook over the coal gate. Also visible were another hook along the left running board and a longer one on the left side of the tender. What I never saw on any of my photos was any evidence of an auger on this engine. But there probably was one in the bunker.
Two photos of the now 40 year old #537. She's still enjoying an active career on the West End and a frequent sight through Dickey as a helper engine. Today, as the rear helper on the Westbound Extra. 40 years? Really? Yep. I was only 34 years old then when this was converted from an ancient Balboa C-21.
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Fire-Tools-tp19512p19516.html
A few comments about #537. As the only engine of this type on the C&S, it had its own characteristics which caused the firemen to have to make changes in their routine to fire it. Firemen on the East End between Denver and Como were out of Denver, where they all had worked larger Standard Gauge engines with wide, square fireboxes. On the West End, every engine the firemen had worked had long, narrow fireboxes. So when they got #537, they all had to figure out how to deal with that wide firebox. Doug said that they could just throw coal in there, and make sure they had it spread the way the engine liked it, and if they did it right, they could "practically fire it sitting down". But when Denver sent up loads of Trinidad coal, it always made firing more difficult on all the engines, but especially the way they had to fire #537. Ed Haley gave me a wonderful 3/4 rear print of the left side and it was super helpful. It showed the rear of the cab, and three fire tools. To bring up details, I used a small device called a linen tester, which had a magnifying lens in its own frame which filed open and allowed light under the lens from all directions. Placing the tester over a print gave an excellent view of about a 1" square area. These may be available on ebay. I wish I knew where mine is now. It was extremely helpful. especially in the days before this kind of magic could be done on a computer. Another advantage was that with the linen tester sitting over an area I was trying to glean detail from, it was perfectly placed on my work surface and all I had to do was put my eye to the lens to make sure what I was seeing there was what I was trying to accomplish on the model. Yes! They are available on eBay. Search for "Fabric Linen Tester". For a mere sum of $9.05, you should add this to your tools! It works on printed photos also, but it is wonderful on real prints. It was with this little device I found the almost invisible round handle of the clinker hook over the coal gate. Also visible were another hook along the left running board and a longer one on the left side of the tender. What I never saw on any of my photos was any evidence of an auger on this engine. But there probably was one in the bunker.
Two photos of the now 40 year old #537. She's still enjoying an active career on the West End and a frequent sight through Dickey as a helper engine. Today, as the rear helper on the Westbound Extra. 40 years? Really? Yep. I was only 34 years old then when this was converted from an ancient Balboa C-21.
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