On the bottom of front of the smokebox on the new LS Porter there is a round plastic part that extends down about 1/2 inch. Does anyone know what this is for or is is simply left over from a previous locomotive that should be cut off. To me it looks like it was origionally intended as a post for attaching a screw and should not be there.
Any ideas?
Stan Ames
Stan
It is probably an ash collector.
They are found on many small steam loco's.
Tim Anders
Souderton, PA
On our ten wheeler it is a screw plug that we use to drain the sand from sanding the flues out of the smoke box during inspections. We unscrew the plug and use a rake to pull the sand forward to the opening and it pours out into a wheelbarrow.
Jerry Barnes
Conductor
Grapevine Vinatage RR