Can someone tell me why this design was developed and used ?? It looks like the engine crews would have hated them.In the cold or wet weather. 
Camel Back Steam Locomotives
- Thread starter dmb3006
- Start date
I'm sure they were fairly miserable--they were designed with very large fireboxes so they could use the cheapest and lowest-quality grades of coal. In order to accommodate this big firebox, the cab was placed above the boiler instead of in its traditional position. And yes, this made for a very cold, wet and miserable fireman in bad weather.
This website has great information on the history of the camelbacks: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/camelback/
BTW I can never get enough of them.
BTW I can never get enough of them.