The chimney (smokestack or stack in American and Canadian English) is the part of a steam locomotive through which smoke leaves the boiler. As well, steam locomotive exhaust systems typically vent cylinder steam exhaust through the chimney, to enhance the draught through the boiler.
Do trains emit steam?
Both. The smoke is from burning fuel; and most steam trains exhaust the steam out and later trains (designed near the end of steam train) sometimes condense the steam so that it is not exhausted into the atmosphere but a vacuum in order to increase thermal efficiency. Both.
Where does the smoke come from on a steam train?
A smokebox is one of the major basic parts of a steam locomotive exhaust system. Smoke and hot gases pass from the firebox through tubes where they pass heat to the surrounding water in the boiler. The smoke then enters the smokebox, and is exhausted to the atmosphere through the chimney (or funnel).
What is the steam train called?
Steam locomotives. The basic features that made George and Robert Stephenson's Rocket of 1829 successful—its multitube boiler and its system of exhausting the steam and creating a draft in its firebox—continued to be used in the steam locomotive to the end of its career.
Do trains emit smoke?
All trains do not produce smoke, especially the ones that run off an electricity source overhead. The engines, or locomotives if you will, are powered by electric motors and will not produce any smoke.
Why is train smoke white?
White smoke is simply steam – evaporated water. With diesel locomotives, white smoke can mean that oil is vaporized – that happens with cold machines that get too much diesel fuel injected. Those are also the ones who shoot out flames of the exhaust when the vaporized diesel ignites in the hot exhaust.
Why does steam come out of a train?
What is the smoke coming out of trains?
Darker or blacker smoke is an indication that small fuel particles (coal, wood, fuel oil, etc.) have made it through the firebox unburned and are therefore wasted. Light or nearly invisible exhaust means that the locomotive fuel is mostly burned and transformed into heat, carbon dioxide, water, and trace elements.
How far could a steam train go in a day?
During the very early days of steam locomotives, water stops were necessary every 7–10 miles (11–16 km) and consumed much travel time. With the introduction of tenders (a special car containing water and fuel), trains could run 100–150 miles (160–240 km) without a refill.
How long can a steam train run?
How long a run can you get out of a live steamer? Typically, simple live-steam locomotives will run 20 minutes or so on a single filling of water, fuel, and oil. Most are designed so that the fuel (and hence the fire) runs out before the boiler is out of water.
Why do trains emit smoke?
Smoke from a Steam locomotive is generally CO and other gases from the firebox, but it could also be from hydrocarbon fuels if it has been converted. For Diesel locomotives, the smoke is typically unburned and/or partially burned gases, along with a lot of particulate matter, plus CO, HC's, NOx, and other gunk.
Why does smoke come out of the bottom of a train?
If its a diesel-electric, the engines burn the fuel, giving off smoke, to turn the generators that make electricity to power the motors. The amount and blackness of the smoke is determined by how efficient the engine is, and how much of a load is the engine working against.
What is a steam train whistle called?
A train whistle or air whistle (originally referred to as a steam trumpet) is an audible signaling device on a steam locomotive, used to warn that the train is approaching, and to communicate with rail workers.
Why do trains smoke?
Darker or blacker smoke is an indication that small fuel particles (coal, wood, fuel oil, etc.) have made it through the firebox unburned and are therefore wasted. Light or nearly invisible exhaust means that the locomotive fuel is mostly burned and transformed into heat, carbon dioxide, water, and trace elements.