What is a good source (other than a person visit) of information on what automatic stokers looked like and how they operated? More specifically, I need to 'add' something that looks like a Standard HT stoker to a couple of 4-6-2's I'm modelling for the ACL. Any ideas would be appreciated.

-- Mark V. Huband (markhuband@aol.com), June 22, 2000

Answers

Mark:

The best source of this kind of technical information would be a "Locomotive Cyclopedia", such as the 1938 or 1941 edition. These books contain hundreds of pages of technical drawings, locomotive specifications, and manufacturer's advertisements showing all sorts of steam locomotive details. Originals and reprints can occasionally be found on E-Bay and similar sources, but they cost several hundred dollars. You may luck out and find one in a library somewhere.

-- Hugh Odom (whodom@awod.com), July 24, 2000.

I believe the latest issue of Mainline Modeler has an ongoing article about scratchbuilding an NKP tender. As I recall there were photos of prototype stoker as well as modelling techniques. Hope this helps.

-- Buddy Hill (palmettoLTD@hotmail.com), June 22, 2000.