Oil fired engines

[PatriotClass]

Good evening!

I am just fitting my Claughtons with some illumination. One of them will be the oil fired version of the flagship 2222 as seen on a 1921 picture taken at Crewe. On my Lenz decoder there is an option for firebox flicker. Did the oil fired engines have a firebox door and did the fireman open it during operation? So maybe installing firebox lighting on such an engine is wrong, isn't it?

[New Haven Neil]

Yes they had a door but no they wouldn't open it, it would have caused a flashback.  However, oil fired engines tend to have a lot of flame flickering around what would have been the ashpan, googling for some USA locos may show you this.  So a flicker yes, but maybe aimed down ward rather than towards the firebox door.

[LMS2968]

Generally, you opened the doors to light the oil spray, but not afterwards.

[Compound2632]

My understanding of British engines converted to oil firing, which I'm afraid I can't recall where it comes from so may be completely wrong, is that on shed before the engine's turn of duty a bed of coal was spread over the grate, which would prevent excessive cold air intake. Presumably the dampers were closed most of the time too. Correct my misapprehensions please! 

 

EDIT, No, I think I'm wrong. See below.

Edited March 23, 2021 by Compound2632

[LMS2968]

I haven't heard of that one, which isn't to say it isn't correct.

 

Meant to add to my above post that there was a small peep hole in the doors to allow the fireman to see the flame pattern and adjust as necessary. It was normally covered by a pendant flap.

[Compound2632]

1 hour ago, LMS2968 said:

I haven't heard of that one, which isn't to say it isn't correct.

 

On reflection, I think I'm confusing this with the preparation of the 9Fs with mechanical stokers. Post edited.

[Steamport Southport]

I'm pretty sure someone posted a link to a film about the GWR oil fired engines.

 

One of those BTC films. Found it!

 

 

 

 

Jason

Edited March 24, 2021 by Steamport Southport
Added video

[nightstar.train]

How many engines did the 4 companies convert to oil burning? That film called for 1200 to be converted to save coal. 

[Steamport Southport]

5 minutes ago, nightstar.train said:

How many engines did the 4 companies convert to oil burning? That film called for 1200 to be converted to save coal. 

 

Not many. The scheme was abandoned almost immediately as oil costs rose.

 

93 according to this.

 

http://www.greatwestern.org.uk/m_in_gwr_oil_fire.htm

[TravisM]

I seem to remember that Bulleid’s 4-6-2’s were designed to be easily converted to oil burners as he felt they would perform better with oil rather than coal.