Large Scale Central

Sean, I am dumb ;-)

General Discussion
#1

OK Sean,

I just realized in my reading that I am dumb, Cliff would be disappointed. I will admit my ignorance here for all to see. I thought I understood at least the basics of steam locomotive operation. Now I realized I don’t know squat. I was very interested to find out how the boiler works. I alias though them millions of tubes running through the boiler held water and that the fire surrounded them. I just read that I have that completely backward and like light shining in the darkness the term “fire tube” makes perfect sense. You light a fire in the fire box and the smoke, flames, hot gasses, cinders and everything else goes through the tubes into the smoke box and out the stack. The water is in the boiler surrounding all of those tubes. Geez it really is simple now. Now I understand the need for a blower to create a draft to suck all that stuff through other wise it would be pretty darn resistant to doing so.

Well there it is.

#2

Devon, yes most steam locomotives have a fire tube boiler. Its kind of opposite what many people think when they first get into steam power. But, just to let you know, there are water tube boilers, like what you were thinking. They are usually vertical boilers, and are used for stuff like logging donkeys, steam powered cranes and stationary boilers. So, while you were wrong about most steam locomotives, you weren’t that far off for certain other steam powered equipment.

Feel better now?

#3

Also most modern power plants are “Water Tube” And about 99.99% of coal fired elect generating plants are WT boilers.

#4

Devon

I’m just as dumb.

You just ask the questions before I can even think of them.

Keep helping me Devon ,I too want to learn!

Some times I try to use humor and it backfires more than helps!

We are learning thru you!

#5

David Maynard said:

Devon, yes most steam locomotives have a fire tube boiler. Its kind of opposite what many people think when they first get into steam power. But, just to let you know, there are water tube boilers, like what you were thinking. They are usually vertical boilers, and are used for stuff like logging donkeys, steam powered cranes and stationary boilers. So, while you were wrong about most steam locomotives, you weren’t that far off for certain other steam powered equipment.

Feel better now?

Yes that makes it all better (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#6

Sean McGillicuddy said:

Devon

I’m just as dumb.

You just ask the questions before I can even think of them.

Keep helping me Devon ,I too want to learn!

Some times I try to use humor and it backfires more than helps!

We are learning thru you!

Oh I knew you were just pokin’ fun at me with the Cliff comment. At least I took it that way.

#7

I learned this weekend at a local Maple Syrup producer’s open house that the Maple Sap Boiler is built just like a locomotive boiler except that the area above the water line is open for the steam to escape. It has a fire box, flues (fire tubes), a smoke box and a stack. I don’t know how they get the draft going as it has no pressurized steam. It burns wood logs nearly 4 foot long. I watched them load it about 6 split logs at a time. I have some pics, but not with teh fire doors open (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)

#8

BTW, there were a few experiments with water tube boilers on locomotives. Obviously none were a huge success. One in particular was especially interesting – it was a narrow gauge, cab-forward, locomotive built and used by the North Pacific Coast railroad. You can see a pic of it (plus a live-steam, 1:20.3 scale replica) on this website:

http://northpacificcoastrailroad.com

#9

What an incredible model. I’m in awe at folks that can build things like this. Thanks for sharing.

#10

I remember watching Dwight build that thing, back in the day. Superb model.

#11

…and Devon, a more modern example of a water tube boiler on a steam locomotive was Norfolk and Western’s Jawn Henry. This locomotive was a coal fired, steam turbine electric. I don’t remember all the stats, but the boiler was built by Babcox and Wilcox. Short lived, but not due to the boiler. The turbine was a bit too ‘finickey’ for the railroad.

#12

A coal fired steam turbine electric. Now that is cool.