One hallmark feature of a Burlington steam locomotive is the use of vertical
check/stop valves. Every photo of a Q steam locomotive I have seen has them,
from the 1890s to the end of steam. Vertical checks have certain advantages
from a wear and sticking standpoint and maybe that is why the Burlington used
them. It could not have been the whim of one mechanical officer or shop
super. to mandate their use. Does anyone know the reason? Anyway, the
Life-Like 0-8-0 C.B.&Q. version does not have vertical check valves, rather
the standard USRA horizontal type. If the feedwater lines and checks are cast
on it would be difficult to remove and replace with wire and a lost wax
vertical check. Not an impossible job, but hard. I'm sure Dave Beck is going
to do it! ( along with many other things )<grin> You could not just carve off
the horizontal checks and replace with verticals as the feedwater line is too
high up on the boiler. The feedwater line entered the bottom of the check
from a 90 elbow or off the bull of a tee fitting.
>From my photo collection:
#542 by C. Felstead no location or date. Cuckoo clock light on tender.
Tool box between trucks and rerail frog over rear tender truck, right side.
No angle on lower edge of cab. Barrel style headlight not Pyle brand. Round
number board on smoke box door.
#543 by R Foster from Lee Hastman collection. Centralia,IL July 17, 1949.
Cuckoo clock light front and rear. Angle on bottom of cab. Fire hose box
under fire box on left side. No number board on smoke box door. Turret
covered with sheet metal. Rerail frog over rear tender truck left side.
#545 by C. Felstead from Lee Hastman collection. Centralia, IL. July 2,
1955. Pyle head light front and rear. No angle on lower edge of cab. No fire
hose box. No number board on smoke box door. Rerail frog over rear tender
truck left side.
#548 by R. Foster from Lee Hastman collection. Centralia, IL. Oct. 17,
1947. Pyle head light, cuckoo clock on tender. No angle on lower edge of cab.
Rerail frog over rear tender truck right side. No tool box right side tender.
Round number board on smoke box door.
Jerry Albin
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