A clip of Ventura County #2 departing the station at the OERM Rail Fest 2009. VC #2 is a 2-6-2 Prarie class steam locomotive. It has been converted to run on diesel fuel, but it's still a steam engine through and through. Contrary to depictions in movies and other media, a steam engine when running optimally releases less smoke that you would expect. Less smoke comes from a cleaner burn of the fuel. Much of what you see coming from a steam engine is just that: steam.
You're right about the smoke. The only times when a fuel oil fired steam locomotive produces lots of smoke is when the fuel is not burning well and, also, when the fireman "sands the flues" (throws a small scoop full of sand into the firebox to clean out soot and particles from the flue tubes). Great video. It's always great to see any steam locomotive running.
stickdog100 11 months ago