Russian Decapod - what is this fitting for on the boiler?

[Isambard]

On Bachmann's Spectrum HO Russian Decapod there is a short right angle pipe fitting sticking out of a circular base on the left hand side of the race behind the steam dome. What is the function of this fitting on the prototype?

[Isambard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Alco GE



Here is a Photo from the Internet of the Real Thing.


http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/wm1108s.jpg

Presume Valved Fitting is now just a Source for Live Steam, and may have been Spec'ed in Origional Order??

The Circular 'Hump' it is on IS interesting.

Possibly an extra 'Manhole' to get inside Boiler?, although you usually can get down inside thru Steam Dome to Access Throttle Valve.

The hump and fitting appear to be common to Russians on a number of U.S. railroads, judging from the photographs I've come across so far. The opening in the centre of the hump appears to be about 1 ft. in diameter, a bit of a tight squeeze if it was intended as a manhole. The mystery continues.
[:)]

[egmurphy]

You might try asking over on the Bachmann website. They have a mini-forum called "Ask the Bach Mann". They might have done enough research to know what is was before issuing the model.

You're right, it shows up on all the photos of the Russian decapods in the old Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol 1, Steam Locomotives. Nice to know it's a legit detail.

Regards

Ed

[cefinkjr]

Looks to me like it might be an injector. Right location and right piping but not quite the right shape unless it's a greatly simplified type. And that might be the case. Don't forget that these engines were built for the Czar's railroads and they weren't all that sophisticated.

[Anonymous]

This is purely a guess, but the fitting may have been used for supplying house steam to the boiler when the fire in the firebox was dropped. Given the extremely cold winter temperatures in Russia, there must have been much concern about maintaining and restoring boiler temperature when the fire was out.

The fitting isn't an injector. Bachmann has applied prototype-specific details to these models, which vary from one road to another. On each of the models I've seen, the water supply line on the fireman's side runs into the cab front (undoubtedly to an injector mounted inside the cab), or to an injector casting located on the side of the firebox in front of the cab.

[Isambard]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fiverings

This is purely a guess, but the fitting may have been used for supplying house steam to the boiler when the fire in the firebox was dropped. Given the extremely cold winter temperatures in Russia, there must have been much concern about maintaining and restoring boiler temperature when the fire was out.

The fitting isn't an injector. Bachmann has applied prototype-specific details to these models, which vary from one road to another. On each of the models I've seen, the water supply line on the fireman's side runs into the cab front (undoubtedly to an injector mounted inside the cab), or to an injector casting located on the side of the firebox in front of the cab.

That's an interesting guess. I agree it's not a normal feedwater injector. What did northern U.S. and Canadian roads do to keep loco boilers and piping from freezing up in very cold conditions, since not all loco's were kept in roundhouses after the fire was dropped, nor were roundhouses that cozy in winter? Did they have provisions for piping in house steam?

[Anonymous]

One easy way of supplying house steam to a locomotive boiler is to pipe the house steam to a line with a Barco fitting--which is attached to the steam-heat Barco fitting on the tender or pilot. Those lines generally originate at the turret on the locomotive. Connect the Barcos, open the right steam-heat valves on the engine, and , voila--house steam to the boiler.

[Isambard]

Is it possible that the mystery fitting is a boiler wash-out hatch? But only one?
I've just come across a photo of a DB (German State) Railways 4-6-2 high speed Pacific 03170 that has three circular very shallow domes on the upper left hand side of the boiler over the fire box and one more up front over the front driving wheel. These look fimilar to the one on the Russian Decapod but without the right angle fitting. Are these wash-out hatches?