Preserved SL

[fumikiri]

Over the years watching SL videos on youtube etc, ive noticed that virtually every time the loco approaches, the driver opens the cylinder drain cocks. Why is this? I dont recall the drivers doing this at Umekoji during my visit, seems its only main line steam does it. Drain cocks are used to get rid of water condensed in the cylinders after a stop or something, and this practice of opening them when running is most odd and looks a bit 'wrong'. Maybe its poor water or something that makes it worthwhile.

Edited February 4, 2015 by fumikiri

[kvp]

I think this is done mostly for the show (like whistling for the railfans), since a running steam locomotive wents all used stream though the smokestack to create draught in the firebox, but that doesn't look as good as steam coming straight from the cylinders. On many moderner european steam locomotives these drains were pressure sealed, so only the force of the uncompressable water could open them and they closed back right after the water was vented. The result was some water dripping from a tube after a start and that's all. (and also better fuel economy and no more accidents due to driver error)

[westfalen]

While riding behind C12 66 on the Mooka Railway in 2012 my travelling companion who was a steam qualified fireman commented on how much the cylinder cocks were used while running. Looking at my video again it seems like every time we came to a crossing or a group of photographers beside the track the driver opens them. 

 

It's just like the videos of American preserved steam with constant whistling even when there are no crossings.  A good show for the general public but annoying to the fan who just wants to see and hear the loco working.

Edited May 13, 2014 by westfalen

[fumikiri]

While riding behind C12 66 on the Mooka Railway in 2012 my travelling companion who was a steam qualified fireman commented on how much the cylinder cocks were used while running. Looking at my video again it seems like every time we came to a crossing or a group of photographers beside the track the driver opens them. 

 

It's just like the videos of American preserved steam with constant whistling even when there are no crossings.  A good show for the general public but annoying to the fan who just wants to see and hear the loco working.

 

Ah right, so another instance of wasting steam (and therefore coal and water) just to impress the photographers. It wouldn't have happened in steam days so the photographers are getting an unrealistic photo anyway!

[marknewton]

I suspect that the crews using the drain cocks are just putting on a bit of theatre, but having said that, there are times when running with them open may be necessary. I remember one trip where we took water from a bush fire brigade tanker at Valley Heights, and then had to run all the way to Lithgow using the drain cocks almost constantly.

 

The water from the tanker had traces of fire retardant in it, which caused the boiler to foam and prime like a bastard. The water in the gauge glasses looked like milk! On arrival at Lithgow loco we had to flush the tender out and then blow down and refill the boiler about three or four times to get rid of the contaminated water. But apart from the priming the engine steamed well enough, we weren't losing that much steam via the drain cocks to upset the draughting - that's a furphy.

 

I agree that you can run an engine more economically by not deliberately wasting steam and water, but these days any steam loco is a first and foremost a show pony. I'm all for giving the paying public a good show!  :)

 

Which reminds me of another funny experience. My engine was chartered for some film work immediately after it's annual boiler inspection and overhaul. She was as tight as a drum, not a leak or weep anywhere to be seen. But when we were shown the film afterwards the thing appeared to be pissing steam everywhere! When we asked the film people they said it wasn't dramatic enough, so they'd added the steam effects digitally. So much for all our hard work!

 

All the best,

 

Mark.

[cteno4]

Lol love that do a doc and the real footage does not fit the script, change reality! Love it, right up there with using live snared animals to attract predators in for filming or driving the sea lions into the surf banging trash can lids so the orcas can munch on them on camera.

 

Jeff