Southern Green New and Old

Joshua K. Blay · **Posted:** Thu Dec 09, 2004 6:49 pm

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=87186

By the time I got see the famous 4501 for the first time she was black and cold, but it was still cool to see. That's a pretty short water bottle!

Joshua

gmray · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:34 am **Posts:** 382

That picture brings back bad memories. Note the "superstack" on the 4501. This was my ill fated attempt to get the old girl to steam better. The mistake was in the taper. The opening at the top was so large that no steam seal was produced. Without the seal, the vacuum in the smokebox sucked air in through the stack around the exhaust. This obviously killed the draft through the grates.

To overcome this, we fashioned a sheet metal liner to get the internal diameter right. A new fabricated stack, changes to the draft sheet height, removal of one layer of arch brick and a new pepperbox style exhaust nozzle eventually got the 4501 to where she steamed like she should.

The "superstack" now sits retired in our "Walk of Shame" alongside the TVRM East Chattanooga Shop.

Dave · **Posted:** Fri Dec 10, 2004 2:31 pm

No need for shame, Mark, at least you guys were actively working on improvements. Knowledge comes from good experience, which comes from having had enough bad experience to recognize it when it finally comes along.

dave

Ryan Scott · **Joined:** Wed Aug 25, 2004 10:46 pm **Posts:** 149

Speaking of Southern, how is that 630 coming? Word is that work will begin (again) on the 722 this spring, and I was wondering what kind of a head start you guys have?!

;-)

Ryan