Porter Smokebox

[StanAmes]

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

[Tim]

Stan

It is probably an ash collector.

They are found on many small steam loco's.

Tim Anders
Souderton, PA

[J R Barnes]

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