Bob and Vance,
Thank you both for the pictures that show the two exambles of firebox
proportions and positioning. When looking at locomotive photos the firebox
size and location is not obvious unless one has some knowledge about the
various firebox configurations that were in use.
It is curious that on the Panama Railroad 2-8-0 the firebox and backhead
pretty much fill up the cab. It is almost as though the cab's purpose was to
protect all the gauges, valves, levers, injectors, etc. from the elements
and not to provide shelter to the crew. Other examples of locomotives that I
have seen do not have the backhead projecting as far into the cab. Does
anyone know whether there was a general rule for the proportions of cab
versus backhead and firebox?
Steve
