Hi,
I have recently read in a book published in 1875 that heat loss from a locomotive boiler was reduced by covering the boiler and dome with wood, called lagging, and then covering the wood with smooth, polished iron. I am wondering if the steam locomotives of the 30's - 50's also used some kind of insulator between the boiler and outer shell, and if so what was used?
Asbestos?
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Yes, asbestos was common.
That is also why now so many steam engines on static display in locations such as the Railroaders Museum of PA, at Strasburg, and elsewhere have had the boiler jacketing removed.
The environmental nutjobs enacted regulations that demanded that the hazardous waste be removed/cleaned-up.
Since many of the museums are on limited funding, we are left looking at unsightly, unjacketed steam locomotives because a substitute for the lagging has not yet been installed (and on some engines may never be).
Might as well have just sent 'em to scrap as left them rotting outside without their jackets??? Perhaps some will say no, others yes...
John
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What about the lagging on steam locomotives currently in service?
UP 4-12-2 Since many of the museums are on limited funding, we are left looking at unsightly, unjacketed steam locomotives because a substitute for the lagging has not yet been installed (and on some engines may never be).
An example - Yellowstone in Proctor MN
Thanks everyone for the replies so far. I too am now curious about what is used for lagging in locomotives currently in use.
They used fiberglass batten, shaved and trimmed with sharp knives, when they restored CPR 2816 10 years ago.
-Crandell
Removing the lagging from display locos that are outside is a good thing. The lagging can get wet and keep moisture against the boiler rotting it out or making the boiler shell thin in spots. Not a good thing if someone wants to restore it to operate.
True, removing the lagging would help the preservation of the engine somewhat. However, you know as well as I do that some of the people who've removed the boiler jacket won't be around if or when it is ever time to re-apply it. In most cases, I bet the current owner/maintainer of the engine doesn't even know which piece of boiler jacket goes where on what engine (assuming they have more than one). I bet it's easy for stuff like that to get "lost" (pilfered, taken as a souvenir, etc.) or scrapped.
Thanks Kootenay Central for a very interesting, though very sad, story!
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