Gregg posted:Do the hot box detectors pick up anything from the firebox?
No, as the firebox on any large main line steam locomotive is way too high for the detectors to read. In my experience, some of the areas that detectors "pick-up" are:
1) One specific rod bearing which might just happen to be "down" at the detector location. The plain type rod bearing generally run hotter that a freight car roller bearing. Of course, N&W 611 would not have that issue being all roller bearing on the rods.
2) Steam operated cylinder cocks, even closed, can be detected as "hot".
3) Feedwater exhausts, depending on the location.
4) Blowdown exhausts.
5) Injector overflow.
6) Dynamo, or other, condensate drains, that are piped down to track level.
