Pumps on the front of boiler?

They are the air pumps for the air brakes.

Thank you.

I went searching for them on all my models.

Looks like they're on the side of the Triplex and under the front walkway on the Challengers. I never even noticed them on the Challenger.

Those big cross-compound air pumps might be located almost anywhere on a steam locomotive. Wherever the designer could fit 'em in, that's where they went. There was no "standard" placement for them.

My goal is to have "flying pumps", smoke box mounted, on all my engines, and, of

course, brow-mounted Elescos.

Those big cross-compound air pumps might be located almost anywhere on a steam locomotive.

 

Joe

 

Rich is certainly correct that air compressors were placed wherever they would fit on a steam locomotive.  Every 20th century American steam locomotive as at least one.

 

Some railroads like to mount them on the front of the boiler in the later steam days.  The C&O and the GN were just two railroads that were fond of that location.

 

 

Mounting one or two below the running board was also a common location.  That did have the disadvantage of putting the weight on one side of the locomotive and they were at least partially in the way of the running gear.  The compressors were usually on the fireman's side since the power reverse was on the engineer's side.

 

 

The pilot deck was also a popular location in late steam days.  The NYC was fond of mounting air compressors down on the pilot deck behind shields.

 

 

Watch out Joe.  Pretty soon you are going to be noticing which locomotives have dome or front end throttles, Worthington, Elesco or Coffin feedwater heaters or injectors. 

 You guys are being kind.

I have to do much more studying to pass!

It's embarrassing to ask these questions and I appreciate the info. I do have many train books now and try to read what I get my hands on. A guy sent me a book on B&O power that cover's 1829 to 1964. I'm afraid of where this could lead! I never heard of some like the KB-1? Lots of big steam.

 They show a picture and describe slide valves on a EL5 mallet?

 Hmmm, "there were more 2-6-6-2 Mallets built in America than any other type"!!

 I'm also scratch building and repairing equipment and don't know some of the thing's purpose that I'm fabricating.

Here's a drawing for you - a close-up if you will. 

http://trainperson99.home.comc.../air_pump_piping.jpg

Lower set of cylinders are high and low pressure air, with airflow right to left. Upper cylinders are the steam side high and low, steam flow also right to left. Piston rods visible between upper and lower cyls. Sometimes in movies or documentaries you will hear the slow chug of an air pump on a stationary locomotive in a station scene.

Hope this helps

Firewood

 

Nice drawing!  Thanks for the link.

 

Joe

 

Watch out, pretty soon you will start recognizing Proto 2 and Proto 3 accent sounds and where they were recorded.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-9dPuFf8XU

 

When I first saw UP 3985 and watched her rods get lubed with an Alemite gun I was impressed that it sounded just like the MTH model. 

 

 

Joe,

Seaboard Air Line had them on their class Q3 Mikes as well:

 

 

 

and of course my model (Williams brass 3-rail USRA 2-8-2 modified to a class Q3):

 

 

 

It is interesting to note the piping associate with these pumps.

(1.) There is air intake, which would be clean, limited smoke,  being the front of the locomotive.

(2.) Air to the air tank system. Locomotive tanks are usually front and along the sides.

(3.) Steam in, to drive the pump, controlled from the cab.

(4.) Steam exhaust, which is usually piped to the smoke box.

Other than inhibiting front smoke box maintenance, probably a good location for the air pumps.

Uh oh. I'm learning some things here! (Old Dog.....)

and I was staring right at #90!!

 

The H8's were quite distinctive!

 

Larry

Hmmm,

"Joe,

Seaboard Air Line had them on their class Q3 Mikes as well:"

.....

 

"No.7705, Class KB-1,...... one of ten purchased from the Seaboard"......

I may need another book!!

Gee, a photo of #90, lettered correctly!  I just need one three rail version of that.

You'd think with all the visitors to the Strasburg, probably at least twice a year, 3rd

Rail could peddle a 100 unit run of them?  C&O, SAL, and GN also seem to have

favored the "right" tenders, too, as well as "flying" pumps.

 

Yes!!

Ted, at the end of your video post, this one popped up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HR5dEc5VeNw#t=43

half way in is fer guys like me!!

I believe the smoke box access in these designs was often through a half- hatch below the high-mounted air pumps.
Also, we can't forget the loopy-loop piping for cooling the heat of compression, the after-cooler.

part two!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ri_ciyZ98

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-9dPuFf8XU

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggdcDhrIMF8

 

 

Speaking of the variety of locations for air pumps, ATSF 4-8-4 #3751 has a compound air compressor under the fireman's seat, under the cab!  

https://www.facebook.com/CO1309

 

Here's C&O 1309, a 2-6-6-2 Mallet under restoration by the Western Maryland Scenic, with smokebox mounted air compressors.

The Frisco mounted the compressor on some of their Russian Decapods in a unique location:

 

Rusty

Wow, a maintenance-friendly location indeed on the Frisco engines. 

Hmmm, Locomotive Superheater Company

LSCo

 is pronounced "El" "Es" "Co" or "Elesco".

http://steam.wesbarris.com/app...feedwaterheaters.php

So much to learn. I have to take this in slowly......

 

Walschaerts Valve Gear

Baker Valve Gear

.....

http://steam.wesbarris.com/appliances/valvegear.php

 

I think 3rd Rail did a 2 rail only version of the Russian, including Frisco?  I also think

MTH had a Frisco Russian. (my MTH version, with new lettering, was ATSF, and pump is under left running board)  If Frisco lettered, where were those pumps?