The following articles represent a collection of things I experienced or came across – and you might find useful – when running a Feldbahn 0‑6‑0 or similar engine. The guide-like articles describe how I generally handle the loco.
If you come with a standard loco boiler background, you might need to forget the “art of firing” and start over from scratch.
A howling or humming sound like a low, sustained “houuuuugh” – can be louder than the steam whistle. This usually indicates a hole in the fire, where cold air is drawn through the embers, causing the boiler tubes to vibrate – absolutely undesirable, especially for rolled-in tubes! However, this is not always the case. Especially not with the SRS marine-type boiler. Even when the firebed is laid perfectly, the boiler tends to howl under load due to the shallow firebed – a consequence of the grate’s relatively high position – which doesn’t give the air enough time to heat fully. At least, that’s the common explanation, which fits with the “fire hole” theory. A deeper firebed can improve the situation, but this would require a lowered grate .
A day in steam may call for a cup of tea, a chat, or just a brief pause. However, with the standard-fitted SRS marine-type boiler, taking a break can be tricky – often ending either in a stone-cold fire or prematurely with the safety valves lifting. The challenge stems from the shallow firebed and the high burning temperature of coal (e.g., anthracite burns at roughly 900 - 1200 °C), which, under these conditions, requires a steady oxygen supply (via exhaust draught or blower) to stay alight. There is, however, a very practical workaround that lets you step away for a break without needing to constantly adjust the fire or water level, making it easier to keep the boiler stable while you’re off the controls.
Some say the injector is probably the most mysterious part engineers have ever come up with. In this article I’m not going to cover the technical details and functionality of an injector, as others have already covered this subject very well. I’d rather like to share my experiences with them, specifically on the Feldbahn, so you get the chance to experience a much quicker start than I did. The cover image shows an Injector No. 5 – two of them are fitted on the Feldbahn.