Refilling Steam Generator Water Tank(s)

[jrbernier]

  From my experience in the late 60's(in Minnesota/Wisconsin).  CB&Q E8/9's carried 1250 gallons of diesel fuel and 1950 gallons of boiler water feeding twin S/G's in the rear of the locomotive.  We would refuel both diesel fuel and water at North La Crosse, WI and Savanna, IL.  This was about every 150 miles.  Sometimes we double headed motors(CB&Q term for locomotives) to make sure there was enough steam heat for the train in the -20 below weather.

  I am sure HEP on Amtrak is much better....

Jim Bernier

[cx500]

A lot will depend on the capacity of the water tanks on the diesels.  The extra length of the FP7 and FP9 compared with the F7A and F9A was to give room for more storage.  My understanding is that CPR transcontinental trains planned to replenish the water every second division point, refueling at the alternate crew change points.  I can't remember what the frequency was for topping off the water tanks in the passenger cars but that also was periodically required en route.

John

Very cold temperatures will of course increase the need for steam heat and hence consumption rate, or prolonged delays might require extra refills.

[gmpullman]

On the New York Central the water tanks were topped off in Collinwood (Cleveland) and again at Buffalo, roughly 1/3 distance between the 958 miles from Chicago to New York.

I remember hearing stories of early-day Amtrak runs where, in at least a few instances, the fuel and/or water tanks were inadvertantly filled with the wrong fuel and/or water, with disasterous results! Crews at the fueling stations weren't familiar, or didn't care to pay attention, with the filling apparatus of the various locomotives from different railroads being serviced and the results were not good.

Regards, Ed

[SouthPenn]

It would depend on how much heat was needed, how long the train was, was there a dinning car, how many fittings were leaking, the weather outside, etc.

I would guess that the tanks were topped off every time the train stopped.

[wholeman]

During the transition era on diesel locomotives, how often were the water tanks refilled for the steam heat generators? 

Were they often refilled when the locomotives were re-fueled?

Thanks in advance.