As reported in other posts, 5918 was moved to stand next to the stationary boiler for a steam test, which was then delayed by a few days due to circumstances beyond our control. Finally, on 16th February 2012, the stationary boiler was fired up and 5918 had live steam put through her. The results are also reported elsewhere (see http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... =26&t=9204).
A passing railway enthusiast, Paul Saunders, showed great commitment in coming back day after day to see if we had steam yet, and he was finally rewarded - here are some of his photos.
5918 in stationary steam
- John Ashworth
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5918 in stationary steam
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- In a photo taken a couple of days earlier, 5918 is moved into position next to the stationary boiler
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- Connecting up the armoured steam hose to bring steam from the stationary boiler to 5918. A while ago there was a discussion on the East_African_Steam Yahoo group as to whether this is dangerous, but in fact it is the preferred method of firing up an oil burning loco in Kenya
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- Paul stands by 5918
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- Fire in the hole
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- The scene in this photo is pretty timeless
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- A wisp of steam
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- Steam pressure on the gauge
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- Plenty of steam escaping from the leaking superheater elements in the smokebox
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- Posts: 124
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Re: 5918 in stationary steam
Hi John
I am insterested to hear how the process of transferring steam from the stationery boiler works. Having never worked an oil fired loco I am completely in the dark!
I am insterested to hear how the process of transferring steam from the stationery boiler works. Having never worked an oil fired loco I am completely in the dark!
- John Ashworth
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Re: 5918 in stationary steam
It was new to me, too, as previously I had only worked coal-fired locos and the infamous Rovos Rail diesel burner.
An armoured hose with a screw fitting is connected between the stationary boiler (or another loco already in steam) and the cold loco, and steam is passed from the former to the latter. This steam is then used to warm the oil, to atomise the oil in the burners, and to operate the blower, until the loco is creating enough steam of its own to take over. Then the stationary boiler is disconnected. A wood fire is often lit in the firebox initially to help the process of heating up the water.
Compressed air can be used in place of stationary steam, but the disadvantage is that it is cold.
An armoured hose with a screw fitting is connected between the stationary boiler (or another loco already in steam) and the cold loco, and steam is passed from the former to the latter. This steam is then used to warm the oil, to atomise the oil in the burners, and to operate the blower, until the loco is creating enough steam of its own to take over. Then the stationary boiler is disconnected. A wood fire is often lit in the firebox initially to help the process of heating up the water.
Compressed air can be used in place of stationary steam, but the disadvantage is that it is cold.
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Re: 5918 in stationary steam
Hi John,
So the boiler is filled with water when this is done? Did they manage to determine if it was only superheater elements or tubes as well?
Cheers
Aidan
So the boiler is filled with water when this is done? Did they manage to determine if it was only superheater elements or tubes as well?
Cheers
Aidan
- John Ashworth
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- Joined: 24 Jan 2007, 14:38
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Re: 5918 in stationary steam
Yes, the boiler was filled and there were no obvious water leaks.
My own suspicion right from the start was that it was superheater elements as the symptoms that were described to me, ie that steam only leaked when the regulator was open, pointed to that. However I wasn't on the footplate when 5918 failed and we were getting different diagnoses from different people, so it's good that we've now been able to inspect 5918 properly, both cold and in steam.
My own suspicion right from the start was that it was superheater elements as the symptoms that were described to me, ie that steam only leaked when the regulator was open, pointed to that. However I wasn't on the footplate when 5918 failed and we were getting different diagnoses from different people, so it's good that we've now been able to inspect 5918 properly, both cold and in steam.