ElesconFeed Water Heaters on 4-6-4 Hudson Engines

[spokeshave]

I am really new to steam era locos and I am trying to learn some of the different parts, what they do, and where are they located on the engine. Does anyone have any info on the Elesco feed water heater, what it looks like and where it is located on the engine.
Thanks, Spokeshave

[jimrice4449]

The Elesco FW heater is a cylindrical goody that mounts on the smokebox front, generally on a bracket that puts it above the headlight. There are exceptions, Most Santa Fe engines mounted their Elesco FW heaters on the deck below the smoke box. Those NYC Hudsons that had them mounted them recessed into the smokebox ahead of the stack w/ only the upper corners of the ends showing. As part of the apparatus they also had a hot water pump that looks something like an air pump and was mounted either under the running board on the left side or on the pilot deck (although the ever idiosyncratic Santa Fe, I believe, mounted them under the cab on the left side on some of their Northerns).

[spokeshave]

jimrice4449, Thanks again for taking the time to answer me. This steam terminology is really a whole new ballgame for me and I really appreciate your explanation. People like yourself are what makes this hobby so great!

[Sperandeo]

Hi Spokeshave,

You might be interested in two books published by Kalmbach. The "Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol. 1: Steam Locomotives," by Linn Westcott, in addition to scale drawings of 127 locomotives, includes a chapter on steam locomotive details that explains most of the most common appliances and safety equipment. The "Guide to North American Steam Locomotives," by George Drury, gives brief histories and rosters of the steam power on major railroads, and also includes explanations of wheel arrangements, fuel, valve gears, and other topics. Both are sold in hobby stores and on the Shopping section of this Web site.

Good luck,

Andy

[Isambard]

Some info from my file on Elesco feedwater heaters follows:

A typical Elesco system starting on the left (fireman's) side supplies water from the tender, through a pipe that goes to the Elesco feedwater pump mounted on the running board just ahead of the firebox
The Elesco pump is located closer to the source of water, and the air compressor is usually mounted just forward of it.
The pipe from the Elesco pump goes to the upper rear side of the feedwater heater "bundle". The bundle of tubes is divided in four groups or quadrants.
The water makes four passes back and forth through the tubes being collected in side headers, the steam is on the middle surrounding the tubes. The heated water is piped out, in a 1-1/2" pipe, past a strainer to the top-mounted check valve.
This valve also feeds cold water to the boiler from the injector located on the engineer's side, which is used to top up the boiler, since the pump is a steady flow not compensating for locomotive speed changes.
Steam comes up to the body of the heater bundle from two wrapped 6 inch pipes one from each side at the cylinder valves.
Condensed water is fed back to the tender where a sludge trap and a skimmer can remove valve oil and recycle this condensate.

Typically using an Elesco to preheat feedwater, using what would otherwise be wasted energy in the exhaust steam, would increase thermal efficiency by 5 to 10 per cent, well wothwhile considering the cost of fuel.

In addition to the Wescott and Drury references you can find more info by Googling "Elesco". Interesting stuff !


[:)]

[jimrice4449]

Aw shucks!