Locomotive question

[mklotz]

Not sure where to put this so I'll drop it here.

I have a question about locomotives.  On many European locos I see what I will, in my ignorance, call 'blinders'.  These are large sheet panels that attach to the top front exterior of the boiler and extend out past the headlight much as blinders extend forward around the eyes of a horse.

What is the purpose of these things?  And a related question...  Why do you never see them on American locomotives?

[AdeV]

They are smoke deflectors, and are designed to alter the airflow around the loco so the smoke/steam doesn't obscure the driver's vision.

[sbwhart]

Yes I know what you mean Marv, I always thought they were some form of stream lining but I'm probably wrong on that, there's a few Guys at the model club who worked on steamers back in the 50's I'll ask them the ?.

Stew

Amendment:-

Looks like Ade has the answer.

Stew

[mklotz]

Thanks, Ade.  I guessed it might be something like that.

So, how come the American manufacturers never felt the need to add them to their designs?  Surely the physics of air flow aren't any different in North America.

[AdeV]

That is a very good question.... I don't know. Interestingly, if you watch a video or two of SP4449, the smoke is being fired out of the stack at enormous velocity; wheras, by comparison, if you watch some videos of Tornado (no 60163) the smoke is much flatter. Of course, the relative velocity might have something to do with that.... SP4449 does seem to struggle to get much above 30mph.

[Bernd]

Not sure but I think it also has to do with the number of tunnels they have to go through. Keeps the smoke going over the top of the cab and not around it.

I don't think there are many tunnels in the US as compared to European lines.

Bernd

[DABIRDGUY]

Southern Pacific Railroad has some on a couple of thier steam locomotives.