The draft from a hard-working steam locomotive, in this case Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 No. 3985, draws sand from a scoop into the firebox and through the flues.   The practice cleans the tubes of soot.  Draft is created by the exhaust steam, still expanding, being forced through a nozzle directed to the stack.   The force of the draft draws smoke, heat and gasses through the flues.   More than one fireman lost his scoop to the firebox in the days without mechanical stokers.

There’s a tale about the rookie fireman,  on a lunch break,  cooking a steak on a shovel, (not an completely unusual event.)   A trickster engineer opened the throttle wide,  whereupon, there went the sirloin.

The 3985 was built as a coal burner, converted to oil like sister 4-8-4 UP 844 when they were saved from the scrapper and placed in excursion and executive service.    The 3985 and 844 pull an occasional railfan excursion to this day.  They will be joined by Big-boy 4-8-8-4, No 4014 in the relatively near future.

Credits:  Pix by David Hoge / pix & text (partial) as seen in TRAINS Magazine special edition Steam Today – 2008.