Backhead Details for "Deckless" Steam Locos

[OT Dean]

Hey, guys, I'm collecting details, data, and parts for the backhead of a "Deckless" steam loco, where the actual back of the boiler is nearly flush with the back of the cab, as it was on many old-time locos like the Ma & Pa light Consols.  The September, 1952, issue of Model Railroader, and "Steam Locomotive Cyclopedia, had excellent drawings, by the incomparable J. Harold Geissel, of Ma & Pa #26, the last of four nearly identical locos bought from Baldwin in the early 1900s.  The drawings were extensive, including the details of the engine frame, with springing and equalizing--and even construction details of the tender frame.  However, his drawing of the rear of the cab shows only the fire door--and lots of rivet details.  I figure there must've been a steam gauge for the fireman, which was shown in the Mel Thornburgh article on building an HO B&O 4-4-0 (which I can't access right now).  Does anyone know if there would've been a water level sight gauge--or would that have been on the side of the firebox by the engineer only?  I'm collecting details for an O scale Mogul for which I'm about to make engine frames.  (A friend gave me a complete brass boiler, cylinder block and frame made by the late Henry Pearce for, I think, a model of a B&M B15 Mogul, which gives me an excellent start, but the frame is for larger, evenly spaced drivers and I'm going to use 52" drivers in the staggered spacing so common to the type.)

I'm keeping busy during Social Distancing with renewed interest in converting my MicroLux (from Micro-Mark) Heavy Duty drill press w/X-Y table, so I can mill the engine frames.  Happy railroadin' and stay safe, everyone.

Deano

[gmpullman]

Would this be of any help?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127850938@N05/albums/72157713762276453

A little older loco but nice, detailed shots. Lots of steam loco cabs I've been in there was one main boiler pressure gauge but three ways of checking water level, two sight gauges (glass tubes) visible to both engineer and fireman and a Tri-cock where small valves, arranged vertically, could be "tried" to see if you had steam vapor or water.

Good Luck, Ed

[OT Dean]

gmpullman

Would this be of any help?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/127850938@N05/albums/72157713762276453

A little older loco but nice, detailed shots. Lots of steam loco cabs I've been in there was one main boiler pressure gauge but three ways of checking water level, two sight gauges (glass tubes) visible to both engineer and fireman and a Tri-cock where small valves, arranged vertically, could be "tried" to see if you had steam vapor or water.

Good Luck, Ed

 

Thanks, Ed, that's a regular backhead, inside the cab.  I' sure you know the ones I'm talking about, 'cuz Baldwin built hundreds of deckless cabs where the backhead was only a few inches inside the back wall.  A door on each side of the opening let the engineer and fireman enter--past fold-up seats--let the seat, and let it drop behind them so they could sit down (must've been mighty comfortables, don't you think).  I'm sure I saw a photo of the tri-cocks set up near the engineer's seat on these engines and camelbacks (Mother Hubbards), too, and I imagine the engieer had a sight-glass since he was the one who controlled the injector most of the time.  I just wasn't sure if the fireman had a sight-glass in addition to the obligatory steam pressure gauge.  (I also know there was usually another injector on the fireman's side of the loco, since rookie firemen sometimes "traded water for steam," which really teed-off the engineers.  I just wanted to be fairly certain there'd also be a sight-glass on the back of the firebox when it could only be read from the tender deck.  I'm also aware that modern engines often had a pair on the backhead "just in case" (it still puzzles me how glass could withstand the steam pressure, but I suppose it's quite thick).  Thanks again.  Stay safe.

Deano

[dehusman]

[BigJim]

Yes, all of the appliances are there. Try looking for photos of the N&W M Class #475 at Strasburg, Pa.