[PRR-talk] Q2 question - torpedo tubes?

[Bruce Smith]

Folks,

I was looking at some photos recently, and noticed something odd on a  
Q2.  There is a pipe with a flared "nozzle" at the end, just in front  
of the front cylinders on the left side.  In looking at more Q2  
photos, this appears to be a consistent detail that I don't think I  
have seen on any other PRR locomotive.

I did see a similar feature on an Australian Garret type locomotive,  
and it was apparently a tube for conducting the sound of exploding  
torpedoes to the cab so that the crew could hear.  Given the length  
of the Q2, that wouldn't surprise me, but the fact that it is only on  
the left side would mean that it wouldn't be particularly effective  
if the torpedo was on the other rail, would it?

Any idea what the heck it is???

Regards
Bruce

Bruce F. Smith
Auburn, AL
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/index.pl/bruce_f._smith2

"Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield."
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