I just ordered some flickering Leds to make a firebox effect for some steamers. Now I know that a coal fired firebox would be glowing steadily, not flickering, but I’m going for a gee wiz effect from kids and visitors when we run at night.
I’ve never seen a steam locomotive running at night–here’s my question. Where else would you see light besides the firebox door? Under the firebox?
Mike, you should be able to see some light under the firebox - that is where the air comes in! I do not recall seeing this on full size locomotives but one can often see light glow on small scale coal fired live steamers. Best wishes from Tokyo, Zubi
Now, I’ve been wondering that myself. Old photographers usually didn’t take pictures of that end of a mallet.
I have seen the cab of an EBT engine light with a warm glow as the door was opened to shovel in coal. Warm glow and then dark, warm glow and then dark. Just a pleasant memory brought forward by your question.
My Bachmann Shay’s flickering firebox light is very much like Westside Lumber Co. Shays #10 & 15 that we ride on and behind at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad.
We’ve been on numerous night rides there and the light coming from the fire and shining onto the ground is very bright both onboard the train and standing on the ground as it goes past. The model’s firebox lights are very similar. Very pleasant memories here too!!
Happy RRing,
Jerry
I’ve been wondering about the glow, if any, from an oil burning loco?
I guess I edited the part out about the WSLCo / YMSPRR Shays being oil fired. The fireboxes have lots of openings that allow a large amount of draft while providing the visual windows. There are some angles where the fire can be seen directly and even more where the light escapes to shine on the track and roadbed.
Happy RRing,
Jerry