Oil fired locomotives were indeed the rule rather than the exception. Any book on the Katy, the MOP, SP or Santa Fe would provide insight into each carrier's facilities. Any of the railroad's historical societies could probably provide excellent resources to gain the needed information:
www.katyrailroad.org
www.mopac.org
www.sphts.org
www.atsfrr.com
This information has been really helpful. ..one more thing I'd like to ask.
I recently moved from the Pacific Northwest, where I modeled the steam era (coal-fired) in northern Idaho, to Texas and plan to build a Gulf Coast-themed layout, hence my question about oil-fired steam, which was more prevalent here (is that a correct assumption??). I get the idea that there was considerable variety in fueling facilities and I appreciate the one photo posted. Are there websites or other sources (books, etc.) that would show details of other, perhaps more typical facilities? Thank you in advance to Andy S. or anyone else who might provide guidance.
Andy Sperandeo MODEL RAILROADER Magazine
My thanks to all of you for great information!!
Most roads had the common facilities that coal fired locomotives would need, i.e., water tanks and/or columns, sand towers and inspection pits. To support oil fired locomotives, we can look at SP's facilities as the example. While some storage tanks may have been underground at varioous locations, many were above ground and oil fueling stanchions looked somewhat different than their water-bearing cousins. Low walls sometimes existed to protect the surrounding areas from oil leaks. West Oakland, Bayshore, Alhambra Street San Luis Obispo and Bakersfield all had above-ground storage facilities. Other locations such as Roseville, Taylor, Sacramento, San Jose and others had underground or combination facilities.
Oil fired engines did not require ashpits or the support systems and structures required to haul the residue away. You will not see coaling towers, coal piles, clamshells or other support structures required for coaling of locomotives.
The more subtle difference would be in your roundhouse, where live steam lines were used to assist in quickly firing up cold engines. Severe oil stains in the soil and concrete would be evident. Boiler rooms were used to keep the oil flowing in colder weather, as well as supplying heat and other steam for use in and around the roundhouse and oil handling facilities.
Home road tank cars, rather than coal hoppers would supply fuel.
You can go to www.historicaerials.com to view the engine facility and railroad of your choice, some as far back as 1930, if the photos are in the database, and it is all free. In the case of West Oakland, if you enter 515 Bay Street West Oakland, CA the image will come up and you can select the year. Then scan to the left until you find the roundhouse. To the left of the roundhouse is a large above ground tank used for oil storage. This tank is almost as large as the roundhouse itself.
In most situations, steam locomotive fuel oil was stored in large ground-level tanks. Unless there was a pipeline, there would be a track for unloading tank cars containing the fuel oil.
Mark
The only thing I can add to Brother Murphy's post was that the steam for heating the fuel oil was not provided by the locomotive. If there was a boiler on-site to heat buildings and power shop tools (before they were all electrified) it would also provide steam to the oil distribution system. Otherwise, there would be a small boiler, usually in its own shed, to do the honors.
The oil used for locomotive fuel was #6 fuel oil, aka Bunker C. It was about the same consistency as road oil, and wouldn't flow at ordinary temperatures. Oil-burning locomotives had heating coils in the tender to keep it liquified.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Most of the structures will be the same, including shops, engine house (or roundhouse), turntable or wye, water tank, sand house, etc.
Main differences will be that you will not need/find a coaling tower or an ash dump.
You will need a source of fuel oil. In the one facility I am familiar with (others could be different) the main storage tank was underground and slightly removed from the facilities, and the oil was pumped underground then up to an elevated day tank. This tank (see picture below) had gooseneck spouts on both sides to service two tracks, access platforms for maintenance, and may have been insulated when in service. remember that fuel oil usually requires steam heating coils inside the tanks to maintain the oil at a temperature at which it can flow. But this is a detail that isn't really visible.
At least that's what comes to mind right now.
Regards
Ed
I need information on yard facilities for oil-fired steam locomotives...what sort of tanks, structures, etc. do I need? I'd sure appreciate any information!