Thangs are too quiet here, again. I have a few questions regarding systems on steam engines. The NYC Hudsons (and Niagaras) with Worthington feedwater heaters had a very noticeable pump (hot water?) located above the fireman's side cylinder. Where was the cold water pump? Where were the pumps for the Elesco systems? What is the difference between a "closed" vs. "open" feedwater heater?
Jim The cold water pump on many locos were hung on the fireman's side just ahead of and many times ON the front of the trailing truck. They look somewhat like a generator. As to the open and closed type of feedwater heater I too have wondered about that. Ron
JIm I'm reading from the Model Railroaders "Cyclopdia Vol 1-Steam Locomotives." "If the steam comes into direct contact with the water, the heater is called an "open type" feedwater heater,but if tubes are used so the water is merely heated by the steam without direct contact,the heater is the "closed type". An example given is that the Worthington is an open type. While the Elesco and Coffin are closed types. (These type have tubes like a boiler)
Thanks, Ron. That poses a lot of other questions to this inquiring mind. I have never seen a schematic diagram of the Worthington (or any other) heater. How did they get direct contact between steam and water? The only visible parts of the system were the pumps and the protrusions above the smokebox.
The "closed type" of feedwater heater, like the Elesco as used on the H-10 Mikado, had a tube bundle (like a radiator) that the water flowed through. Live steam surrounded the tubes and elevated the temperature of the water. On the Worthington "open type" system, live steam came in direct contact with the hot water, so it provided a higher inlet water temperature when the engine was worked hard. The Worthington had no tubes to clog and was described as more efficient. (I'll have to get out my 1938 Loco Cyclopedia if you want a better description of the Worthington...). Oh, and the Elesco required an oil skimmer to separate oil from the mix, and the skimmer was usually on the tender deck.
Tom, glad to hear from you! If anyone can answer these questions, I'm sure you can. I would be very interested to know how the Worthington system accomplished direct contact, steam and water. Was the steam injected into the water (chest) or other container? BTW, when this one is answered, I have a whole bunch more.
Ron, this doesn't really qualify as an Accessory, but today I found a picture of a Mohawk taken from above and sharply head on. The hole in the smoke lifter on the engineer's side is just that, a hole. The one on the other side wasn't visible in the pic. (3047 on G. Elwood's site).
Jim I have seen photos from the front/sharp angle and there is nothing there to warrant a hole.There HAS to be a reason for that hole................COME ON SOME ONE OUT THERE,enlighten us. No jokes...we really want to know....is there a cleanout plug in line with the hole?
