Blanket of Steam

Another shot from York railway station yesterday lunchtime. The large crowd of photographers persuaded me to use a different part of the platform to that where I prefer to stand. However, that wasn't without a certain risk of missing the shot.

Just before a steam locomotive begins to move, a burst of steam from the boiler is released through the cylinders to the atmosphere, and the locomotive and everything around it vanishes in a cloud of steam and noise. Slowly the cloud of steam clears, and this is the point at which I took the shot. It's risky because the locomotive can have pulled away without the opportunity for a shot. I was fortunate here that it didn't pull away too quickly.

The reason for this blast of steam is that a small amount of water can have got from the boiler into the cylinders while the locomotive is stood. The blast of steam clears any water from the cylinders. If that doesn't take place there is a risk that the cylinders can be damaged or destroyed as the locomotive begins to move and steam entering the cylinders puts the water under pressure. It is not a very likely effect, but everything has to be very safety first today!

I was quite pleased with the photos that I took. Several steam charters are due at York between now and Christmas bringing visitors to the St Nicholas Christmas Fare. Hopefully I will get chance to take photos of at least some of them!

Ian

[bkb in the city]

Very nice shot

[carol white]

Great steam capture.Fav😊

[Nigel Rogers]

Great picture

[Nina Ganci]

superb title and capture

[Bill Davidson]

A fantastic image.

[Kathy A]

Great shot, love all the steam

[gloria jones]

Cool, steamy image...nice pov

[Babs]

Looks lovely surrounded by steam.

[Dawn]

A cool shot

[Pyrrhula]

Great capture of this impressing locomotive. Fav.
As a kid I lived close to a railway station and repair shop. Have seen many of them in use.)

[Peter Dulis]

Wow

[Wylie]

well caught for a great atmospheric shot.

[John Falconer]

Great capture.

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautifully captured. It must be a joy to watch them coming and going.

[Paul Williamson]

Sunshine not needed when there is so much steam and smoke. A lovely shot and a FAV

[Fisher Family]

@bkbinthecity @carolmw @nigelrogers @ninaganci @billdavidson @kjarn @seattlite @onewing @Dawn @pyrrhula @pdulis @pusspup @johnfalconer @sangwann @alfsson

Thank you all for your lovely comments and favs, they are very much appreciated.

I was a bit lucky with this shot. The locomotive had begun to move. If the steam had been a little slower to disperse all that I would have captured was a cloud of steam!

Ian