Greetings,

Recently, a question was asked on the Steam Lizards group on Yahoo about a fire pump aboard the V&T 4-4-0 "J.W. Bowker". You can see it quite clearly on the picture below; since then I have noticed on a picture taken at Railfair a few years ago that it is still there.

"Doc" Lewis has mentioned the lizard on the tender of the locomotive(s?) at the Heber Valley Railway, and it's role in fire control. Doc, if you don't mind sending me a photograph and details on your lizard(s), I'll be glad to forward them to the group.

I saw a picture of a steam locomotive active in Canada that had a bright red lizard on it's tender, also used for fire control. I think it is at the BC Forest Museum, but I can't find that webpage now!

Are there any other examples of fire pumps aboard steam locomotives?

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

"Steam Lizards" - reciprocating steam pumps

james1@pernet.net

Westside Lumber Company Shays had steam pumps, usually mounted on the left side running board. I suspect that this was common with logging locomotives based on pictures and remaining locomotives I have seen, probably so they could help put out fires that they or their train's hot brake shoes started.

> Greetings,

> Recently, a question was asked on the Steam
> Lizards group on Yahoo about a fire pump
> aboard the V&T 4-4-0 "J.W.
> Bowker". You can see it quite clearly
> on the picture below; since then I have
> noticed on a picture taken at Railfair a few
> years ago that it is still there.

> "Doc" Lewis has mentioned the
> lizard on the tender of the locomotive(s?)
> at the Heber Valley Railway, and it's role
> in fire control. Doc, if you don't mind
> sending me a photograph and details on your
> lizard(s), I'll be glad to forward them to
> the group.

> I saw a picture of a steam locomotive active
> in Canada that had a bright red lizard on
> it's tender, also used for fire control. I
> think it is at the BC Forest Museum, but I
> can't find that webpage now!

> Are there any other examples of fire pumps
> aboard steam locomotives?

> -James Hefner
> Hebrews 10:20a


holombo.chris@ssd.loral.com