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Experimental Loco Fuel, or, Backhead Barbeque ;^)
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Author:  John Isaksen [ Thu Jul 17, 2003 10:00 am ]
Post subject:  Experimental Loco Fuel, or, Backhead Barbeque ;^)
Has anybody ever heard of the Lackawanna's attempt to manufacture fuel Briquets? Refer to this article from the August 9, 1907, edition of the Warren (County, NJ)Journal:

New Fuel Abandoned
The Lackawanna railroad has abandoned the use of the new fuel it has been experimenting with during the past year. The new fuel was made from coal dirt, mixed with chemicals and moulded in egg-shape lumps. The eggs or briquettes, as the inventor named them, appear as if coated with tar when ready for use, and so far as producing heat and steam at an economical cost goes, it is a success, but the effects of the stuff upon the firemen who handle it is said to be a serious matter and may result in a general protest made through the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. The Lackawanna company has abandoned its use pending an investigation of the many complaints made by its firemen, who claim that the chemicals in the compound injures (sic) their eyes.



johni@warwick.net
Author:  Phil Mulligan [ Thu Jul 17, 2003 1:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Experimental Loco Fuel, or, Backhead Barbeque
Sounds like the ongoing struggle to burn culm, or anthracite tailings, in steam locos.

Camelbacks were initially designed to do that but by 1907 they were back to burning good anthracite.

Sounds like a try to get enough heat to run a 1907 engine on culm.



Electric City Trolley Museum Association
Author:  Hugh Odom [ Thu Jul 17, 2003 5:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Experimental Loco Fuel, or, Backhead Barbeque
Sounds similar to something done in Europe in the ~1940's. I've seen photos of (IIRC) French steam locomotives with brick-shaped blocks of fuel in the tender, which I believe were pressed together from low-grade coal.

Regards,
Hugh Odom

> Has anybody ever heard of the Lackawanna's
> attempt to manufacture fuel Briquets? Refer
> to this article from the August 9, 1907,
> edition of the Warren (County, NJ)Journal:

> New Fuel Abandoned
> The Lackawanna railroad has abandoned the
> use of the new fuel it has been
> experimenting with during the past year. The
> new fuel was made from coal dirt, mixed with
> chemicals and moulded in egg-shape lumps.
> The eggs or briquettes, as the inventor
> named them, appear as if coated with tar
> when ready for use, and so far as producing
> heat and steam at an economical cost goes,
> it is a success, but the effects of the
> stuff upon the firemen who handle it is said
> to be a serious matter and may result in a
> general protest made through the Brotherhood
> of Locomotive Firemen. The Lackawanna
> company has abandoned its use pending an
> investigation of the many complaints made by
> its firemen, who claim that the chemicals in
> the compound injures (sic) their eyes.


The Ultimate Steam Page
whodom2001@yahoo.com
Author:  dave [ Thu Jul 17, 2003 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Experimental Loco Fuel, or, Backhead Barbeque
> Sounds similar to something done in Europe
> in the ~1940's. I've seen photos of (IIRC)
> French steam locomotives with brick-shaped
> blocks of fuel in the tender, which I
> believe were pressed together from low-grade
> coal.

> Regards,
> Hugh Odom

I remember articles in the old Railroad Magazine (before it became Modern Photography under another name) by Serge Vitry who was a French steam driver which included information about brick firing.

dave


irondave@bellsouth.net
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