Friends of the Cumbres & Toltec - FriendsOfCumbresToltec.org

I've noticed that during the past few days when the locomotives are sitting idle, when coal is shoveled in to keep them hot, the smoke is distinctly orange. Are they burning a different grade of coal now? What would cause that strange color?
I've also noticed that when the locos are really working, pulling a load, the smoke appears to be the usual black.

Edwin, that is a sign of a banked fire. very low air supple causes the coal to give off a lot of unburned gasses with more yellow smoke as there is sulfer in the coal. Not sure of the orange other than a less intense fire burns orange. Maybe a tech person can expand.

Tom C.