My Santa Fe Hudson is an oil-fired steam loco. Not sure if this was a conversion? However, my question is what type of infrastructure did these oil-fired steam engines require? Links to books or photos would be helpful. Thank you, all.
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@dscrockett posted:My Santa Fe Hudson is an oil-fired steam loco. Not sure if this was a conversion? However, my question is what type of infrastructure did these oil-fired steam engines require? Links to books or photos would be helpful. Thank you, all.
Back in the steam days, those railroads that used "oil" fuel, actually used Bunker C, which is about as thick as asphalt at room temperatures. Thus, any "oil fueling" facility had to have a substantial steam power plant in order to keep the Bunker C hot, i.e. 130 to 150 degrees F. The fuel storage/supply tank had to be steam heated, and the underground supply lines were insulated to retain the heat.
The oil filling standpipe was also generally wrapped with insulation (brass models of these are available on O Scale). Naturally, in addition to the oil filling standpipes, there would be the large diameter water fill standpipes, with a very large supply tank nearby (50,000 gallons or more).
EDIT: If you can get a copy of the OGR Magazine from August/September 2010 (Run 244) there are some really good photos of my engine servicing terminal, showing the oil filling standpipes plus the large water standpipes (the cover plus pages 42 thru 48).
There are books available. eBay and so forth. Morning Sun Books has published some.
Search "steam locomotive fuel facilities" and "steam locomotive maintenance" (most books will cover oil- and coal-fired facilities) in "Books" etc. Not to mention the obvious: "oil-fired steam locomotive facilities".
Oil facilities were simpler, cheaper and smaller than coal facilities. From a fueling point of view, these engines had more in common with the diesels than coal-fired steamers. Plus - no ash pans or ash disposal expense, which was a large one.
The ATSF used both coal- and oil-fired steamers from the works (factory). Their 3460-class big 4-6-4's were oil-burners. MTH produced a nice model of this loco in both "regular" and the Blue Goose version (1 loco). Weaver did a Blue Goose also. Oil-burners in the West (poor coal out there) and coal-burners in the East - as a general rule (like the SP). Most were oil-burners, and built as such from day one.
@D500 posted:There are books available. eBay and so forth. Morning Sun Books has published some.
Search "steam locomotive fuel facilities" and "steam locomotive maintenance" (most books will cover oil- and coal-fired facilities) in "Books" etc. Not to mention the obvious: "oil-fired steam locomotive facilities".
Oil facilities were simpler, cheaper and smaller than coal facilities. From a fueling point of view, these engines had more in common with the diesels than coal-fired steamers. Plus - no ash pans or ash disposal expense, which was a large one.
Except, on the other side of the expense ledger, the firebox on an oil fired steam locomotive was only good for 10 years, while a firebox on the coal burners was good for 15 years.
The ATSF used both coal- and oil-fired steamers from the works (factory). Their 3460-class big 4-6-4's were oil-burners. MTH produced a nice model of this loco in both "regular" and the Blue Goose version (1 loco). Weaver did a Blue Goose also. Oil-burners in the West (poor coal out there) and coal-burners in the East - as a general rule (like the SP). Most were oil-burners, and built as such from day one.
American Scale Models (Bill Davis) has several styles of oil column in O scale; also water columns. Pecos River Brass imported both water and oil tanks some years ago. These large vertical storage tanks could also be made from ABS pipe, with ladder and water gauge added. Some of the Santa Fe water tanks were very large.
Thank you for your reply.
