Hot Water posted:bobotech posted:I'm not really limiting to anything in particular. I'm just fascinated by stories about people who were alive to witness live steam being used for its intended purpose rather than as excursion trains.
OK, but just because a steam locomotive was/is being used in excursion service, does NOT mean that the locomotive may not be working properly, or working hard, no matter what is coupled behind the tender.
I can name one rather large locomotive that is mainly operated as a support platform for a Hancock Long-Bell, 3-chime whistle and as a load for diesels to push around. At least the blower appears to be functioning and the cylinder cocks get a workout expelling all the condensation from wet steam, since the locomotive is seldom worked hard enough to produce much in the way of superheat.
