Now that is one neat photo!! Noticed the engineer's side mounting of the air pumps, and the long air tank mounted crossways. Wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't air pumps on the fireman's side too. Thanks for posting. Robert
Hmmmm, http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15330coll22/id/55114/rec/11 says it was a weed burner. Not sure what the "burner" part would be? Maybe using steam to kill the vegetation?Not sure of the purpose of the air tank if a weed burner either. Curiouser and curiouser.
I guess it would wilt and kill the weeds without lighting them on fire. Would be interesting to see what kind of nozzle was used. I suppose when chemical weed killers were developed, they were less expensive to use than boiling water to make steam.
OK, here is something from another source, Childers' book on Work Equipment Cars. It says that this was a portable steam generating unit used for emergency or auxiliary power for steam plants at stations, roundhouses and repair shops. The 199971 was one of 5 that the Santa Fe built.
It's always fun to see some of the one-off (or 5-off, I guess) creations that the various mechanical departments come up with. An early version of intermodal perhaps (LOFC?) and a great example of making something useful out of an old piece of equipment.
Okay, I like that explanation, considering what appears to be a steam line connection to the right of the coupler.
