02-10-2009, 10:17 AM
Despite the fact that the tenders could be uncoupled and switched, this was not something that was done like regular switching of cars...
There are a myriad of other connections: Water, fuel (coal stoker for those so equipped, or oil line), heating lines for oil burners, steam lines for passenger trains, air lines for brakes, electrical connections, and so on.
The mention of diesel tenders reminds me that some steamers ran with auxillary water tenders too. They may have been equipped with standard couplers to mate with the business end of the regular tender, but would also have had water line and other connections.
In case you're wondering what a coal stoker is, check out the attachment... This "mechanical shovel" was required on the bigger engines where the fuel consumption exceeded one man's ability to shovel.
Andrew
There are a myriad of other connections: Water, fuel (coal stoker for those so equipped, or oil line), heating lines for oil burners, steam lines for passenger trains, air lines for brakes, electrical connections, and so on.
The mention of diesel tenders reminds me that some steamers ran with auxillary water tenders too. They may have been equipped with standard couplers to mate with the business end of the regular tender, but would also have had water line and other connections.
In case you're wondering what a coal stoker is, check out the attachment... This "mechanical shovel" was required on the bigger engines where the fuel consumption exceeded one man's ability to shovel.
Andrew