I have a question about track pans. In very cold weather, were they heated, not used or what? What about the splash zone? Did it get coated with ice?
They were used in cold weather so they must have been heated or at the very least been an anti-freeze mix. As far as splash zone icing, yes there was splash zone icing.
Here is an informative, though lengthy discussion of track pans, including winter operation on pages 14 and 15.
That's interesting reading. Amazing what once was used, which would never even be considered these days.
Railroad folks invented a lot of interesting stuff back then. Track pans among them. I love that Jim Alexanders dissertation on the use of the pans. In the case of the Central, in their efforts to cut the 20th Century Limited NY-CHI time, the track pans became crucial in cutting down the number of water stops which would have otherwise been required.
Hank, thanks for posting that link. There are so many facets of steam railroading that are not normally covered in most publications. It is fascinating to be able to ferrite them out.
