Smoke box door handing

Smoke box door handing

This topic has 5 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 15 December 2016 at 06:46 by Paul Lousick.

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Author

Posts
14 December 2016 at 16:56 #1574
Bill Dawes
Participant
@billdawes
Advert

14 December 2016 at 16:56 #271791
Bill Dawes
Participant
@billdawes
Is there any reason why smokebox doors always seem to be hinged on the right (looking at the front of the engine)

I have asked several people at various events and no one seems to really know.

Bill D.
14 December 2016 at 22:05 #271883
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Hi Bill,

The smokebox door hinges can be on either side, depends on the make of the boiler. The Ruston Proctor SD which I am building has them on the LH side (looking at the front of the engine). A Fowler which I drive also has them on the left. Our club's Marshall portables have them in the right and a Roby on the right.

Paul
14 December 2016 at 22:49 #271895
Bill Dawes
Participant
@billdawes
Sorry Paul should have clarified I was talking about locos, you are referring to traction engines of course, I have made a point of looking at scale models, full size, photos and films but yet to see one with left hand hinges.

I am intrigued as to whether it is just tradition or is there a logical explanation.

Bill D.
14 December 2016 at 22:57 #271898
pgk pgk
Participant
@pgkpgk17461
Perhaps because most folk are right-handed…?
15 December 2016 at 06:46 #271931
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Hi Bill, I am not a loco expert but checked a photo of 4 locos which were at the Maitland Steamfest (Australia) last year and they all have hinges on the RH side as you have noted.

A video of the train race with 4 steam locos and 2 biplaines in the sky above can be found at: **LINK**

Paul

Edited By Paul Lousick on 15/12/2016 06:48:43
Author

Posts

Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)

Please log in to reply to this topic. Registering is free and easy using the links on the menu at the top of this page.

Code of Conduct

Latest Replies

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

- Topic
- Voices
- Posts
- Last Post
- An arduino enigma
  Started by: duncan webster 1 in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 6
- 8
- 2 July 2026 at 20:51
  Michael Gilligan
- Gas Tap Valves. Vintage 1 2 3 4
  Started by: dee in: Related Hobbies including Vehicle Restoration
- 21
- 76
- 2 July 2026 at 20:50
  Robert Atkinson 2
- Running 380V 3-phase motor on 230V 1-phase 1 2 3 4
  Started by: jimalm in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 20
- 84
- 2 July 2026 at 18:41
  not done it yet
- Myford Ml7 Technical Drawings 1 2 3
  Started by: Harry Broadbent in: Model Engineer & Workshop
- 26
- 59
- 2 July 2026 at 18:38
  howardb
- Clarkson radius grinding attachment
  Started by: Andrew Tinsley in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 3
- 3
- 2 July 2026 at 18:13
  noel shelley
- Easy as Pi
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: Clocks and Scientific Instruments
- 1
- 1
- 2 July 2026 at 17:47
  Michael Gilligan
- Lathework for Beginners 1 2 … 4 5
  Started by: Neil Wyatt in: Manual machine tools
- 24
- 111
- 2 July 2026 at 17:36
  Howard Lewis
- Unwanted Car Software Update
  Started by: Chris Crew in: The Tea Room
- 12
- 18
- 2 July 2026 at 17:08
  Howard Lewis
- What Did You Do Today 2026 1 2 … 4 5
  Started by: JasonB in: The Tea Room
- 36
- 117
- 2 July 2026 at 16:49
  jaCK Hobson
- upgrade of Alibre Atom 3D
  Started by: David George 1 in: CAD – Technical drawing & design
- 4
- 6
- 2 July 2026 at 13:47
  David Jupp
- Coventry Diehead CH Reassembly
  Started by: Tony Ray in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 3
- 6
- 2 July 2026 at 11:53
  Charles Jambon
- Martin Cleeve Swing Clear Retracting Toolholder 1 2
  Started by: Roger Harvey in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 18
- 26
- 2 July 2026 at 10:03
  ega
- Replacement belt for Mk1 Clarkson cutter grinder.
  Started by: Andrew Tinsley in: Workshop Tools and Tooling
- 6
- 8
- 1 July 2026 at 20:53
  Andrew Tinsley
- ultra sonic cleaner
  Started by: Dalboy in: General Questions
- 10
- 13
- 1 July 2026 at 19:59
  Graham Meek
- How to stop juddering
  Started by: Peter Simpson 3 in: Beginners questions
- 7
- 10
- 1 July 2026 at 15:11
  Peter Simpson 3
- Small hobby lathes.
  Started by: activeviii in: General Questions
- 7
- 10
- 1 July 2026 at 12:41
  lukeama123
- My Minnie 1 2
  Started by: Nick Welburn in: Work In Progress and completed items
- 8
- 37
- 1 July 2026 at 12:29
  Dave Halford
- Links for Workshop and Model Engineering STLs and other files.
  Started by: Neil Wyatt in: 3D Printers and 3D Printing
- 9
- 12
- 1 July 2026 at 11:29
  timdotd
- Myford VMC Spindle Advice Please. 1 2
  Started by: Nigel Graham 2 in: Manual machine tools
- 10
- 36
- 1 July 2026 at 10:51
  Graham Meek
- ML7 – Zeroing the Topslide? 1 2
  Started by: Dr_GMJN in: Workshop Techniques
- 24
- 40
- 30 June 2026 at 17:41
  Diogenes
- Using VFDs on old motors
  Started by: Andrew Skinner in: Electronics in the Workshop
- 11
- 22
- 30 June 2026 at 17:07
  Robert Atkinson 2
- Bateman Precision Pendulum Clock
  Started by: Michael Gilligan in: Clocks and Scientific Instruments
- 2
- 2
- 30 June 2026 at 15:02
  John Haine
- DRO instructions
  Started by: Speedy Builder5 in: CNC machines, Home builds, Conversions, ELS, automation, software, etc tools
- 2
- 3
- 30 June 2026 at 12:11
  Speedy Builder5
- How do I learn machining ? 1 2 3 4
  Started by: paul1956 in: Beginners questions
- 32
- 95
- 30 June 2026 at 12:05
  bernard towers
- New here but have the swarf cuts
  Started by: activeviii in: Introduce Yourself – New members start here!
- 1
- 1
- 30 June 2026 at 10:59
  activeviii

Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

View full reply list.

Latest Issue

July 2026

Buy Latest/Back Issues

Newsletter Sign-up

Latest Replies