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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 2 (June 1, 1928)

Mechanical Stokers

Mechanical Stokers.

As factors in fuel economy I do not think mechanical stokers fill the bill. They were evolved because the physical effort of placing the required quantity of fuel into the firebox had, on the large modern locomotives, placed too great a strain on the average fireman. The mechanical stoker simply pointed the way to the use of powdered coal, and, as the use of this class of coal is developed, mechanical stokers will necessarily pass away. There are many different types of mechanical stokers, of which the following might be mentioned:—The Crawford Underfeed Stoker, the Street Locomotive, the Hanna Locomotive, the Standard Locomotive, the Barnum Underfeed, the Strouse Overfeed, the Hayden, the Dickinson Overfeed, the Brewster Underfeed, and the Rail Locomotive Stoker. I enumerate these types to show how engineers are always trying to meet the conditions as they arise, and to make the steam locomotive an efficient machine. Most of the stokers referred to are very good machines and do what is claimed for them. I think, however, that once powdered fuel is properly developed it will be used in preference to the mechanical stoker.

Otira Railway Fire Brigade. Winners of the Benyon Memorial Cup, the Otira Citizens’ Challenge Cup and the Russell Championship Shield, in the Fire Brigade Demonstrations held recently on the West Coast. Back row, left to right : H. Madden, R. Hannigan, P. Hill, W. J. Douglas, and J. E. W. Isaac. Front tow : F. A. Halkett, G. F. Morris (Captain), H. R. Cohen (Foreman), J. Wearn and R. Campbell.

Otira Railway Fire Brigade.
Winners of the Benyon Memorial Cup, the Otira Citizens’ Challenge Cup and the Russell Championship Shield, in the Fire Brigade Demonstrations held recently on the West Coast.
Back row, left to right : H. Madden, R. Hannigan, P. Hill, W. J. Douglas, and J. E. W. Isaac.
Front tow : F. A. Halkett, G. F. Morris (Captain),
H. R. Cohen (Foreman), J. Wearn and R. Campbell.