Phil, I DO have a copy. However, it is old information and even Steels re-write didn't update much of it. The work that Clif mentioned by the GWR, was by Sam Ell, and was based upon work by Prof Goss of Pardua University. That resulted in many improvements to UK loco's, and also showed that the one big problem was that our loading gauge was too small, thus restricting the area of chimney to below the ideal size. The answer as, of course, dual or multiple chimneys-blastpipes. Since GWR times others have also worked on draughting, including Port, and Wardale and, Jos Koopmans, among many others. Prof Bill Hall did some work on it, and showed that provided the area of the entry to the petticoat pipe is twice that of the chimney, a straight chimney only loses some 15% of efficiency compared to a properly constructed venturi. The entry acts as the convergent part, thus increasing the gas velocity, and creating a partial vacuum.. Of course, 15% can make the difference between a good and a mediocre performance. Rather than calculate the size of the blast pipe orifice it is probably easier to sue the software he designed and try out different sizes, whilst checking the vacuum produced. As you say, the 1:3 and 1:6 angels are important, and I did mention this on my previous email. alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.alanstepney.info Model Engineering, Steam Engine, and Railway technical pages. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phill Smith" <steam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, November 12, 2004 3:55 PM Subject: [modeleng] Re: Smokebox Innards Alan, The petty coat is the convergent section of the nozzle (which is what you were decribing as a venturi), and the chimney should always get larger in diameter as you progress up (along) the chimney. This alows for the decrease in velosity of the gas stream moves up the chimney. A straight chimney will work (by all appearances quite nicely) but it will not work as well as a expanding taper one, and hence cannot move as much air without the use of a smaller nozzle (and hence higher back pressures). Also, the steam, as it exits the nozzle, has 2 expansion cones. The first is a cone of 1 in 6 (diameter to height), which must touch the sides of the chimney (preferably an inch or 2 before the top, or longer) to create the main "pull" up the chimney. The second is a cone of 1 in 3, which should just touch the throat of the peticoat (smallest diameter section). The second cone is mostly caused by the interaction with the surrounding gasses (on the external surface of the first cone), which slows down the jet stream and causes the increase in the jet streams area, and hence the second cone. I really recommend that you read Henry Greenly's book "Model Steam Locomotives". (edited by E.A. Steel in later editions) E.A. Steel was his son inlaw. Actually, I am surprised that you don't own a copy. He was a brilliant engineer, and model engineer to boot. He was also a POM, so you POM's should all have copies of his books. <GRIN> If you want to know more about the workings of blast nozzles and chimneys (including single, and double, and tripple pettycoat pipes) you know where to find me. Cheers, Phill. MODEL ENGINEERING DISCUSSION LIST. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, send a blank email to, modeleng-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject line.