CLEAR!!!! NH 3025's Fireman shouts the warning to any unwary bystanders before opening one of his locomotive's blow-down valves. Superheated water is suddenly expelled from the firebox section of the boiler under 180 lbs of pressure, instantly flashing to steam. The goal is to remove sediment from the bottom sections of the boiler and prevent such accumulations from reducing its efficiency. As I watched this exercise, I immediately noted the color of the plume and thought: "Wow, look at some of the crud coming out of there." A closer look however, revealed that the odd-looking muffler on the blow-down pipe was actually directing the steam plume down at the track ballast...and the result was an impressive demonstration of hydraulic mining. Note the ballast and mud being blasted away from the side of the locomotive. Needless to say, the Fireman immediately closed the valve, while a member of the shop crew sought out out a means of protecting the track bed. Moments later, after placing a large truck tire below the blow-down pipe, the operation was able to resume, although in less spectacular fashion!
