The Probert Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology

SMOKE-BOX

In a steam locomotive, the smoke-box is a hollow space or box at the front end of a locomotive boiler. It is divided from the boiler by the end boiler plate known as the smoke-box tube plate, into which the forward ends of the boiler tubes are fitted. On top of the smoke-box the chimney is fixed, and centrally below the chimney is the breeches-pipe (the exhaust pipes from the cylinder, which converge into one pointing vertically upwards). As the steam exhausts up the chimney, it creates a forced draught in the smoke-box, thereby drawing the heat from the firebox through the boiler tubes. The steam-pipe from the boiler and superheater passes down the smoke-box, branching into two, one to each cylinder. At the front end the smoke-box is fitted with a circular door to allow cleaning.
Research Smoke-Box