April 19, 2016
Leo - No, this incident is "new" to me. Since the locomotive was able to
limp back to Eola, then I don't see how the side rods could've been bent, as
that in itself would've disabled the switcher. Rods would've had to been dropped
to move the locomotive using a rescue locomotive. Same for a broken axle. And
since the locomotive was moving at the time of the incident, I don't see how
the cylinder cocks could've played into the incident per the engineer
getting a mark on his record for "not" using the cocks. If the locomotive had
been standing still and water had accumulated in the cylinders, when the
throttle was opened and the cocks were closed, YES, I can see a burst
cylinder head as the result. But, moving along one moment and BAM the next
resulting in bent rods, you've got me.... It would be possible to move a
locomotive on its own power with one burst cylinder head (would be
huge clouds of escaping steam) providing the engineer could get the locomotive
off "dead center" with the Johnson bar (reverse lever). Knowing how age can
dim or distort old memories, I now wonder if the switcher suffered a bent
or stripped eccentric rod on one side caused by the pin crystallizing from
lack of lubrication? Or, speculating further, perhaps the engineer did spot a
rabbit, shot it from the open cab window, then stopped the locomotive to
retrieve said rabbit while forgetting to open the cylinder cocks to drain
the accumulating water from the cylinders. Then, returning to the locomotive
with his prized dead rabbit, he opened the throttle and BAM, a blown cylinder
head. You know the engineer and fireman (and whoever else was riding the
light engine movement) all got their stories together for the investigation that
was sure to follow. I just don't "buy" that the switcher swallowed a slug of
water that stopped it in its tracks (no pun intended) and bent the rods. It
surely would've shown in the investigation that the fireman was carrying too
much water, you'd think. And, I just don't "buy" the crew limping back to
Eola with bent rods; a bent or stripped eccentric rod, yes, a bent main or side
rod(s), no. I think there's another piece to this story we're still missing. Any
other opinions out there? Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
In a message dated 4/19/2016 1:06:58 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
CBQ@yahoogroups.com writes:
Louis are you thinking of the same incident ? Engineer got his record
marked for not using the cylinder drain cocks. They did limp back to Eola
roundhouse and head out again with another locomotive
Leo
April 19, 2016
Tom/Leo/Greg - None of the above. It was a broken axle. Best Regards -
Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
Tom,
The story comes direct from the fireman on the
engine, who is a spry very senior citizen. I just checked the written
version and he refers to side rods once and main rods twice.
Leo
Sent from my iPad
Usually
the case in Greg’s explanation causes the cylinder heads to blow
off. The bolts on the head are weaker than the rods and this was
not an uncommon occurrence and something to look out for. This can
also occur by simply not opening the cylinder cocks. Not paying
attention to the cylinder backpressure gauge and allowing excessive
backpressure to build would also cause blown heads. I wonder if
the story has changed through the years and ‘side rods’ was really part
of the valve gear and it happening to the main rods is an assumption
over time? Adding the possibility of a crank pin shearing before a
main rod bending is a possibility along with a bent piston rod.
Also,
‘drawing water’ into the dry pipe can admit water into all of the steam
lines. I’ve had a heavy-handed engineer douse my fire out by
blowing water through the atomizer box in the firebox after yanking the
throttle out too far.
Just
some thoughts.
Tom
Kline
Houston
Thanks Greg, that
explains why at the investigation the hogger was asked if he knew
about the drain cocks.
Was there a control in the cab for the drains
or did one have to go to the cylinders and drain them ?
By the way the fireman was asked at the investigation
how much water was in the glass and he stated 1/2 a
glass.
Hi Leo,
A short answer to start with: You can compress Gas
(steam) but you cannot compress liquid (water)
After a loco
stands for a while, any steam still in the cylinders cools and
condenses back to water. When starting the engineer will open drain
cocks on the cylinders to let the condensed water out then close them
to keep the steam in to do its work.
Another thing that happens
and what may have happened here is that the boiler was most likely
full of water,and as they tipped over the hill and drifted down grade,
the water in the boiler entered the steam dome (where the throttle
valve is at) and when Eng Nelson opened the throttle instead of
admitting steam to the cylinders, it let water in and as water cannot
be compressed the mass of the engine and momentum, kept the side rods
moving, even though the pistons for all intense purposes
"stopped"....and "poof" bent rods.
Any others with further
steam experience, please chime in.......................
Hope
this helps Leo.
Greg
K
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Posted by: LZadnichek@aol.com
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