Comments on: Simulating Smoke and Steam The Cheap Way

By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 15:28:18 +0000

In reply to W Rusty Lane. Excellent, thx !!

By: W Rusty Lane

W Rusty Lane — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 08:05:54 +0000

In reply to Paul. I believe steam engines can be run by the colour of their smoke. Black smoke means there's not enough draft to burn the coal properly. Most firemen strife for white smoke which designates a properly stoked fire in the fire box which has enough oxygen for a cleaner burn of the fuel. Most will settle for grey which is a compromise between heavy black smoke and white smoke. I've watched a lot of videos and this is where I draw my conclusions after hearing a lot of firemen talk about judging the engine's output by the colour of the smoke.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 17:17:28 +0000

Great point, have seen a only few photos of this, it does add realism !! ……. should part of the cotton be colored slightly gray or black for more realism…which begs even more info from those in the know……..what produces the various colors of smoke ? Does black mean heavy load or demand, say heavy demand of going uphill ? Or just the quality of the coal or wood ? How about gray ( grey ) smoke ? When does an engine produce only white smoke ?

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 15:53:27 +0000

Great idea! I do this all the time.