Locomotive question

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hoborich
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Locomotive question

Unread post by hoborich »

I just saw an NS Eastbound on the Chesterton Railcam with three units. The third unit was blowing large flames and sparks out the top of the engine, probably the exhaust stack. Putting on quite a show. What causes this and is it anything serious? The train was moving quite fast, so it wasn't slowing the train down. Would the engineer be aware of a problem in the third unit?
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PatAzo
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by PatAzo »


hoborich
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by hoborich »

Uuuum yeah. Like that. Would the engineer even be aware of that in the third unit. Does his screen show all units, or just the lead unit?
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SD80MAC
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by SD80MAC »

He won’t know unless he sees the flames in his mirror or something on the offending unit triggers the alarm bell. 90% of the time, flames shooting out of the stack is just excess carbon burning off. Sometimes it can be a precursor to a turbo failure.
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hoborich
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by hoborich »

Thanks.
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SousaKerry
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by SousaKerry »

GE toasters
What smells like lube oil and diesel.... Oh wait it's just my "Locomotive Breath"

A No.1
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Re: Locomotive question

Unread post by A No.1 »

I blew up a turbo coming out of Battle Creek one day. It was the lead unit. Sounded like bolts in a blender. My conductor told me I was on fire. Had to get a new leader.
That being said probably wouldn't know on a trailing unit till the alarms go off.
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