to robert kittel question . in regards to foaming on your trip. did the 375l have a contious blowdown valve. if not why not? they are very easy and cheap to install. they can also prevent foaming with out a lot of bottom blowing. i would not run a loco without one. regards bob.

staybolt2@netscape.net

Yes the 3751 as well as all four classes of Santa Fe 4-8-4s had continuous blowdown system. During the first day of the trip the continuous blowdown was off. This was so that the water treatment chems would stay in the boiler and not be blown out. It was after the first day that the continuous blowdown was once again enabled. This did in fact along with manual blowdowns correct the foaming problem.