Steam Engine Stack Name: Elizabeth T. Date: August 2004 Is the
stack on top of the steam engine called a smoke stack? If so,
where does the steam escape from? A steam engine will typically
consist of a "firebox" or place with something is burned to
produce heat, a boiler which contains the water to be converted
into steam, and a piston/valve arrangement which converts the
steam energy into mechanical motion. If you imagine a steam
powered railroad locomotive, the stack on the top front of the
engine is indeed the smoke stack. This is where the by products
of burning wood or coal exit the firebox. The steam is released
along each side of the engine at the exit ports of the valves
which are parts of the pistons. Of course if the boiler pressure
gets too high, steam can exit out of any number of unintended
locations! :-) By steam engine, I assume that you mean steam
locomotive. Steam locomotives are rather sophisticated inside.
The smoke stack is part of a system that helps pull smoke
through the firebox and boi