I didn’t know that this was the reason for their development and demise.
Rick;
Oddly enough, history repeated itself without the human sacrifice in the early 1970’s. Pennsylvania Power and Light found they could generate 33% more BTUs in the fireboxes to their steam turbine generators by adding pulverized culm to the fuel oil, and the culm banks diminished again. (But the abrasion factor had to be significant.)
Regards, David Meashey
I wonder how they figured out adding a waste product would be useful. It’s sort of like Vegemite, but coal.
Interesting bit of knowledge. Some will also enjoy the shots of older freight equipment with cars of all sizes mixed together. 
i was not abel, to find that word - save a mention, that Vegemite must be a very, but very very southern thing.
is it something marsupial?
There was a man from Brussels, he was 6’4 and full of muscles. He said do you speak my language? I smiled and gave him a vegemite sandwich.
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My guys don’t worry so much about a drive rod breaking, even though they are plastic. But they do worry about that “honkin” big electric motor between the frames flashing over or popping loose!
Regards, David Meashey
From Google…
Vegemite is a dark brown, salty, and savory Australian food spread made from leftover brewer’s yeast extract, known for its strong umami flavor and high B vitamin content, typically eaten thinly spread on buttered toast, crackers, or as a flavoring in cooking, though it’s an acquired taste, often compared to soy sauce or bouillon paste. Developed in Melbourne in 1922, it’s a beloved national icon, similar to the UK’s Marmite, and is a staple in Australian households, forming a crucial part of their culinary identity.
That is an interesting video with some really neat vintage film. I do think some were models but it is still good.
Interesting trivia: In the book Reading Steam Pictorial by Bert Pennypacker the text states that Reading RR engine crews were so used to camelbacks that they called rear-cab steam locomotives “long Johns.”
Have fun, David Meashey