2650: fusible plugs

Members can post FOTR related pictures of 19D 2650 here - screenshots or photographs - 800x600 pixels. Maximum size 130k. They will be pruned after 90 days. If you want to keep
Post Reply
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

2650: fusible plugs

Post by John Ashworth »

Boiler inspector Des Painton replaced the fusible plugs in 2650's firebox today. An interesting procedure.

Photos by John Ashworth, 14th August 2010
Attachments
Early in the morning, the fire is just starting, with a lot of smoke.
Early in the morning, the fire is just starting, with a lot of smoke.
plugs_IMG_3430.JPG (44.85 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Fanned with compressed air from below, the fire is now hot. The ladle of molten alloy sits on the fire. Two plugs sit at the front of the table.
Fanned with compressed air from below, the fire is now hot. The ladle of molten alloy sits on the fire. Two plugs sit at the front of the table.
plugs_IMG_3451.JPG (79.96 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Des flushes the plug under the tap
Des flushes the plug under the tap
plugs_IMG_3452.JPG (66.94 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
The molten alloy simmers on the hot fire
The molten alloy simmers on the hot fire
plugs_IMG_3454.JPG (83.36 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Des stirs his witch's brew
Des stirs his witch's brew
plugs_IMG_3455.JPG (80.93 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
The heated plug is being cleaned with ammonium chloride, hence the smoke
The heated plug is being cleaned with ammonium chloride, hence the smoke
plugs_IMG_3457.JPG (66.68 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Pouring the molten alloy into the first plug, sitting in its special rack
Pouring the molten alloy into the first plug, sitting in its special rack
plugs_IMG_3459.JPG (72.55 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
A picture of concentration - although Des has been doing this for more years than most of us can imagine
A picture of concentration - although Des has been doing this for more years than most of us can imagine
plugs_IMG_3463.JPG (73.73 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Pouring into the third plug
Pouring into the third plug
plugs_IMG_3467.JPG (66.95 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
A little spillage
A little spillage
plugs_IMG_3468.JPG (65.11 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Des has just added a sprinkle of ammonium chloride, hence the smoke
Des has just added a sprinkle of ammonium chloride, hence the smoke
plugs_IMG_3469.JPG (62.87 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Cooling
Cooling
plugs_IMG_3470.JPG (72.75 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
The finished product
The finished product
plugs_IMG_3486.JPG (64.79 KiB) Viewed 2438 times
Image
Brendon Anderson
Posts: 124
Joined: 03 Jun 2008, 14:55

Re: 2650: fusible plugs

Post by Brendon Anderson »

Fusible leading is certainly art that needs a fine skill. These plugs are one of the many vital components on a steam locomotive that many people don't know exist..
User avatar
John Ashworth
Site Admin
Posts: 23606
Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Contact:

Re: 2650: fusible plugs

Post by John Ashworth »

Handing on these skills to the next generation is a real challenge. Training drivers, firemen, fitters, etc is one thing, but as you say, Brendon, people don't even know that many of these essential skills exist, so training replacements is not necessarily getting the attention it deserves. One also has to be not only trained but also certified, as these are safety-critical components and have to be signed off with a suitable paper trail.
Image
Post Reply

Return to “FOTR - Steam Engine 19D 2650”