Pictures and Video from Steam-O-rama

4399 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mbkerk, Oct 22, 2009

Canawler

Discussion Starter · Oct 19, 2009

Although I don't really know that much about them, I really enjoy the steam tractors at our local show, the Steam-O-rama near Windsor, PA.

I thought everyone who visits this sub-forum might like to see a few pictures from the first weekend in October.

I also included a couple of videos I shot of two tractors practicing for the steam hill climbs. The first one got bogged down but was able to get moving again and made it up the hill. The second one got stuck, restarted, then the front end came off the ground and the front axle separated. She had to get towed off course. The vids aren't the greatest quality as I shot them with my camera but they still came out ok. The videos do not show just how steep this hill is. The event website says it's 45 degrees and I believe it.

Enjoy!

and here's the vids:
I'm not sure how to get them to play on this screen but if you click on the image it will open another window on the Photobucket site and start playing the video. You may have to make the window full size to see it.

See less See more

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

mbkerk

· #2 · Oct 20, 2009

The hill and the soft ground really made those engines work. You could see in your video that the drivers were chewing all the way up!

Looks like a nice small show! Those are always a lot of fun!

Thanks for the pics and the video!

Save

Brad

· #3 · Oct 22, 2009

Videos were very good, Canawler. If you'd like, why not post them in the MTF Video forum. They'd get a bit more exposure there from folks that may not venture into this section.

Good pictures, too! Thanks.

Save

Mike Milburn

· #4 · Oct 22, 2009

Thanks for the pics and video.
Got a question tho. Not being familiar with the plumbing of steam tractors in the least so it's a greenhorn question for shure.
The smoke is the exhaust from the firebox obviously so why does the intensity increase with the load put on the engine? You can see the exhaust 'puffing' in time with the load noise on the engine.
Is the exhaust from the steam piston plumbed into the stack? I've been wondering this for years since I've noticed it on old westerns as the steam loco is chuffing up a hill.
Be gentle and don't be scared to dumb it down, I'm a newbie LOL...Mike

Save

jeepersmitty

· #5 · Oct 22, 2009

Very nice pictures and videos. Thanks for posting.

Save

mbkerk

· #6 · Oct 22, 2009

Mike Milburn said:
The smoke is the exhaust from the firebox obviously so why does the intensity increase with the load put on the engine? You can see the exhaust 'puffing' in time with the load noise on the engine.
Is the exhaust from the steam piston plumbed into the stack?

You nailed it Mike!

The exhaust from the engine goes into a pipe that is pointed straight up the stack. Most often there is a nozzle on the end of that pipe to increase the velocity of the steam. The purpose of this is to increase the draft in the firebox. As the engine works harder, the governor allows more steam into the engine in an effort to maintain the RPM it is set at. This increased volume (and pressure) in the cylinders results in more violent exhaust, therefore increasing the draft when you need it most... as the engine is under load and using more steam.

An engine running wide open, but not under load does not use a lot of steam as it takes less pressure on the piston to move it. That is why you will see increased smoke (and steam) from the stack when the engine is under load.

I did a thread a few years back that you might be interested in.

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=18429

Pay close attention to post #52 and it should make things a little easier to understand for you.

See less See more

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month