A locomotive boiler has three main components : a double walled firebox ; a horizontal , cylindrical "boiler barrel" containing a large number of small flue-tubes ; and a smokebox with chimney , for the exhaust gases. The boiler barrel contains larger flue-tubes to carry the superheater elements , where present. Forced draught is provided in the locomotive boiler by injecting exhausted steam back into the exhaust via a blast pipe in the smokebox.
Locomotive-type boilers are also used in traction engines , steam rollers , portable engines and some other steam road vehicles. The inherent strength of the boiler means it is used as the basis for the vehicle : all the other components , including the wheels are mounted on brackets attached to the boiler. It is rare to find superheaters designed into this type of boiler and they are generally much smaller (and simpler) than railway locomotive types.
The locomotive-type boiler is also a characteristic of the overtype steam wagon , the steam-powered fore-runner of the truck. In this case , however , heavy girder frames make up the load-bearing chassis of the vehicle and the boiler is attached to this.
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