Poway-Midland Railroad Blowdown

A steam locomotive like the one at the Poway-Midland Railroad (http://www.PowayMidlandRR.org) collects some sediment at the bottom of the boiler around the "mud ring". A periodic blowdown ejects water and some steam from the bottom of the boiler out a pipe on the engineer's side. The blowdown is performed as part of a larger water treatment program to ensure a long life for our 1907 Baldwin 0-4-0 steam locomotive.

The locomotive is typically in operation on the first and third weekend of each month (based on Sunday) from March through early December. Weather, maintenance, and equipment and volunteer crew availability can affect this. It's always a good idea to check the website before planning a visit. On other weekends and while the locomotive is being maintained, other equipment is run such as the 1894 LA Railways Trolley (used in "Hello, Dolly!") and the 1950 Fairmont rail speeder.

When we run on Saturdays, it is between 10 am and 4 pm with the last run departing the station around 3:45. Sunday hours are 11 am to 2 pm with the last train departing at 1:45.

This particular blowdown was recorded during the Train Song event on the first Saturday of October (Oct 4, 2008).

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Poway
• Railroad
• Steam
• Locomotive
• Blow
• Down
• Blowdown

[GarySteinweg]

That looks like a lot of fun.  Great photography.

[genmischief]

Thats cool! I love tourist railroads!