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Strange steam engine spiral.

I was just at

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drooling on the photos of the Lincoln Funeral Train, and I noticed a strange-looking device that I have seen on no other steam engine. It is a bright metal spiral on either side of the boiler, clearly visible in photo #11 at this address:
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Does anyone here know what this is, or what it does? TIA

Reply to
Special Agent Melvin Purvis
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Just a wild guess: a very fancy handrail.

Reply to
Rick Jones

It's a spiral loop for Hotwheels cars. :-)

Reply to
Roger Traviss

Very likely.

They aren't attached to anything except the front of the cab and the top of the running board, so I can't think of any other purpose they could serve.

~Pete

Reply to
Twibil

I found and downloaded the original photo and expanded the photo on my PC. It seems to be a decoration of some sort. WAG.

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r

Reply to
Rich

Nice detective work, Rich. I assumed that since it seemed to be a strange shape for a decoration that it must have a real purpose, but now I am not sure. Steam gauges often have a spiral in their tubing to keep condensate out of the gauge. But why then would there be a spiral on both sides of the boiler?

Reply to
Special Agent Melvin Purvis

I am guessing decorations for both sides. Keep it the same.

r
Reply to
Rich

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