Placement of fire irons

[exmouthcraig]

Here we go people, personally I think this isn't a step to far but please tell me it is, but I'm quite sure I'm not the only one thinking it,

Having a considerable amount of locos all going through detailing prior to delivery on shed each ones getting fire irons added either above water tanks on tank engines or tenders BUT............

Which one was closest to the fireman? If we take a 4MT tank ,the fireman was on the RHS of the cab so if were in his shoes facing the front of the engine, front window open which tool was closest to the boiler and closest to the side of the tank? Long handled shovel or Long handled poker??

I'm pretty sure there would of been a preference but was it based on individual fireman or was there a layout that just stuck???

[martyn]

Probably the last one to be used!

Martyn

[exmouthcraig]

And there was me praising your wealth of knowledge only 24hrs ago @martyn   but most probably true!!!!

Well I made me decision that the shovel goes closest to the boiler as that then shows the shovel edges, the poker is the same upside down.

However now I'm going to find out that they always travelled shovel face down and I'll have to swap them over 

Who said modelling was easy!!!

[crewearpley40]

shovel maybe on shelf behind fireman or held in bracket behind right hand / leg of fireman and poker if driver is on right hand side eg RHS drive loco

[REGP]

But how do you tell if the locos driven from the left or the right?

Ray

[crewearpley40]

depends where controls are eg regulator, different companies '
arrangements etc  i have seen right hand drive controls eg driver regulator , reverse / forward, control right hand use, throttle left hand, so fireman use right hand to shovel

[exmouthcraig]

As far as I know most locos tend to be left hand driven although apparently GWR were known for RHD because they believed most people were right handed and therefore the fireman would find it easier to shovel, although it meant the driver was using the regulator in his left hand 

Always refer to the real thing to know which side the fireman was on.

[REGP]

Thanks guys it looks as if I'll have to look up each loco to work it out.

Ray

[exmouthcraig]

Which locos are you after Ray? I'm sure between us all we'll know which was which for you.

[Train Waiting]

A helpful clue is which side of the engine the reversing rod is on.  It's often a very visible feature.

BR Standards were L/H.
GWR: R/H
LMS, LNER and Southern standardised on L/H but early locomotives could have been R/H.  The most confusing class is probably the LMS '4F' 0-6-0.  Derby had changed to L/H whilst Crewe was still building R/H.  There was an irony here because, pre-Grouping:

LNWR: L/H
MR: R/H!

The Stirlings favoured R/H but the Drummonds preferred L/H.  When Peter Drummond replaced Hugh Smellie as Locomotive Superintendent of the G&SWR his new designs were L/H.  The enginemen were not amused, having been used to R/H since Patrick Stirling's time.

Best wishes.

John

[Newportnobby]

Thanks guys it looks as if I'll have to look up each loco to work it out.

Ray

@REGP
Ray - I was very kindly given the attached information by 'Train Waiting' (John) based on steam locos in my possession/on order and hope it helps you and others

edit - latest purchases 'Terrier' and Wainwright 'C' class - both Left hand side drive

[exmouthcraig]

@Newportnobby thanks Mick as luck would have it I have managed to get all of mine the right way round 

[REGP]

Most of my steamers are either GWR or BR Standard designs with a few LMS & LENR locos for Specials or Excursions

@Train Waiting
John thanks for the general indication it will help me with any not covered by your list that Mick has copied to me.

@Newportnobby
Mick thanks for the  copy of the detailed list, it covers most of the Loco types I have (8 GWR & 12 Lefties).

Ray

   

[martyn]

Note that some of the ex GER rebuilds by The LNER retained RH drive even on rebuilding-eg the Clauds and B12/3. Note also that some locos built RH pre-grouping in the LNER group were not changed to LH until BR days.

As has been said, the easiest reference is the reversing rod-it was on the driver's side.

Some loco tenders had tunnels for the fire irons, some racks or raves, and some seem to have had them just dumped in a spare part of the coal space.

Martyn

[Garyf]

Just found this picture I took on Friday.