As a matter of routine Railroader's eat while on the road, in sidings or
anytime the "need" arises. Today we have the luxury of electric cab heating
devices and the Diesel engine on which to heat the meals requiring heating. In
steam days, however, a much more efficient (for the crew, at least) means of
warming the noonday meal existed. Every steam locomotive was equipped with a
stove and oven for the use and pleasure of the crew. These stoves are often
referred to as fireboxes.
At mealtime a Fireman would get his scoop shovel and a handful of waste, buff
and polish the "cooking surface" and then stick it in the firebox door for a
few (very few) seconds to complete the sanitization process of the soon-to-be
cooking utensil. Once assured that it would pass an NSF inspection the Ash Cat
would assume the role of "Chef". Placing his meal on the scoop, cracking the
firebox door a little and holding it just inside the door and above the fire,
lunch was ready in no time.
It might be appropriate to discuss, at this time, a principle of steam
locomotive operation and a principal of steam locomotive operation. To burn a
really efficient fire one must introduce oxygen to the furnace (stove). The
exhaust creates a consideable low pressure condition in the smokebox and causes
large quantities of oxygen bearing air to be drawn into the firebox to promote
the combustion process. When the firebox door is tightly closed, as the rule
requires, this air is forced to enter the firebox from below the fire (through
the grates on a coal burner or through the firepan on an oil burner). With the
door partially open, however, a far easier route for the air is through the
door. When running, the Engineer has the throttle and reverse gear adjusted to
the demands of the job so exhaust and draft are "balanced" resulting in a
realatively low and constant air flow through the fire door.
Returning to the "Chef" now we see that he has the meal on the "stove" and is
eagerly anticipating "dinner". About this time the Engineer glances over to the
Fireman and asks, "which one-a thems mine?", to which the Chef replies,
"neither uv em". Wrong answer. Before the scoop can be removed from the door
the Engineer drops the reverser down toward the corner and widens on 'er, if
there's any throttle left, thereby creating a hurricane-like draft through the
door. Guess what ?????
The moral to be learned here is - - - always be Charitable. The rewards are
great - - - - - and tasty.
Karl
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