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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1 (May 1, 1931)

Conserving Locomotive Fuel

Conserving Locomotive Fuel.

The locomotive fuel bill is a very large item of railway expenditure, and all concerned should ever be on the alert to prevent waste of locomotive coal and to follow methods of firing that promise efficiency and economy in practice. In a paper presented to the British Association some time ago, Sir Henry Fowler, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, remarked that the consumption of fuel in page 22 a locomotive firebox was unique in boiler practice. The demands made for steam upon the boiler varied almost from moment to moment, being influenced among other things by station locations, track contour, and atmospheric conditions. The astonishing steaming capacity of the locomotive boiler was attributable to the fact that a locomotive is constantly moving and being shaken, this leading to the rapid release of steam bubbles as they were formed, and to the maintenance of what might be called “wet” surface on the metals exposed to heat.

If locomotive firing were correct and the boiler properly designed, said Sir Henry Fowler, only a very thin smoke would issue from the chimney. At Home two methods of firing are favoured. In the one the fire is kept slightly hollow, being somewhat thicker at the side. In the other—the “haystack” method—the thicker fire is down the centre. In both cases the fire is kept as thin as possible, yet not in holes. Intelligent anticipation is called for on the part of locomotive crews, and really keen drivers and firemen may secure wonderful results on a
Experimental Vehicle on the German State Railways. The new Zeppelin Rail Car recently tried out in Germany. During tests which were made on a stretch of track near Hanover, the car attained a speed of 93 miles per hour within two minutes after starting. This unique transportation unit will seat 24 passengers, and is driven by a 500 h.p. aero-engine connected to a four-blade propeller mounted on the rear of the car. The car is made of steel tubes and aluminium sheet plating and is covered with balloon fabric. (A full account of this interesting vehicle is contained in the W.E.Z./ The Economic and Commercial Gazette Liepzig, of 22nd December, 1930 placed at the disposal of Mr. S. Fahey, Fetherston, by the Officil Representtive, Wellington. We re indebted to Mr. Fahey for the illustration.)

Experimental Vehicle on the German State Railways.
The new Zeppelin Rail Car recently tried out in Germany. During tests which were made on a stretch of track near Hanover, the car attained a speed of 93 miles per hour within two minutes after starting. This unique transportation unit will seat 24 passengers, and is driven by a 500 h.p. aero-engine connected to a four-blade propeller mounted on the rear of the car. The car is made of steel tubes and aluminium sheet plating and is covered with balloon fabric. (A full account of this interesting vehicle is contained in the W.E.Z./ The Economic and Commercial Gazette Liepzig, of 22nd December, 1930 placed at the disposal of Mr. S. Fahey, Fetherston, by the Officil Representtive, Wellington. We re indebted to Mr. Fahey for the illustration.)

minimum of fuel. By concentration on fuel saving on every run, it is probable most railways could effect quite remarkable economies throughout the year in their coal bills.