I've installed one of those LED flashing 'welders' into my inspection pit under an engine undergoing 'service'.
I'm dressing the set with a Busch fire equipment set that comes with welding tanks on a dolly & hoses & I was wondering about the set-up protocol for such a situation.
Would the hoses from the tank go between the wheels to the site of the work being done, or would they be arranged to go down the steps into the pit & from there to the job site?
Thanks,
Paul
Hi Paul,
I'm guessing that having the hoses between the wheels could be rather dangerous if the locomotive was moved with them still there. If the tank valves were open the gases would flow until somebody shut the valves. That could get pretty exciting if there was a spark. However, don't take my word for it. I'm just speculating.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Well, yes; and I'm assuming that there is some kind of safety protocol that addresses this. But of course the engine is assumed to be 'cold' while under repair and incapable of moving.
It's just a cute little bit of animation on a section of my layout; the real fun will be after videotaping it in action when I add the smoke & sparks...
A lot depends on what era you are refering to, Paul. In recent times there would "never" be cutting or welding done around an inspection pit. Accumulated oil and lack of proper venting (acetylene is heavier than air and would collect in the pit!) would violate safety rules or, OSHA in present day situations. Zero-tolerance would result in instant termination.
The engine would have been sent to a shop repair facility where ventilation and fire suppression would be available.
However...
There's always that exception to the rule. So, to answer your question, there would have been a helper or "fire-watcher" outside of the pit and he would hand the cutting torch in to the man making the repairs. Between the wheels? Sure, why not. He would have an extinguisher or hose ready and would be there to close the oxygen or cutting gas off in a hurry.
The locomotive would be Blue Flagged and it would NOT be moved so there would be negligible chance of the hoses being cut.
Still, in any decent sized terminal the inspection pit would be just that, for inspection only. If defects were found that required a torch or welder, repairs probably would have been made in the shop.
Others may have more to add...
Have fun, Ed
bigpianoguyBut of course the engine is assumed to be 'cold' while under repair and incapable of moving.
"Assume" - remember the proverbial interpretation - "to 'assume' is to make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'". There is also Murphy's Law which never seems to fail. If I were managing the roundhouse I think I would opt for longer hoses rather than taking a chance at blowing the windows out. Just sayin'.
I'm not being critical Paul. I'm just expressing what makes sense to me. Like I said, I don't know what was done in the real world.
One thing I would point out is that if you run the hoses between the wheels they will act like choc blocks so you might not be able to move the locomotive.
Regards,
EDIT: All my speculation was for naught. Ed has answered the question.
I can't say for sure about RR protocol. However in my line of work, (Industrial Manufacturing Mechanic) OSHA mandates that no portion of myself or my tools ever be inside of a "potential pinch point" aka between wheels in this case. Of course the reality of the situation is often times different than what's written in black and white. So I guess it depends on what supervisors are present on the yard, and how rule abiding the welder is.
I was under the impression you were talking about the inspection pit where inbound engines are checked for defects. My mistake...
In the back shop or roundhouse is a whole different scenario. Hoses, jacks, blocking, welding cables and such are run anywhere and everywhere.
Yes, the arc welding flash would be pretty neat in that situation. Can you rig it to a timer so it is on for maybe 30 seconds and off for a little while? I set one up at a club layout and at first it ran almost constantly. We thought having random pauses between rods, or when the welder changes position or takes a break would look more convincing.
Regards, Ed
As an experienced user of a torch, on construction sites, and NOT on a diesel or steam locomotive, I totally agree with Ed. Any torch or welding work would done in a shop facility, and not in an inspection pit.
And yes, a fire watcher is usually asigned on a construction site, in close quarter torch cutting and welding, with an extinguisher. They also use heavy duty tarps to catch sparks, much like the safety garb a welder wears.
Mike
EDIT: Well, the OP states it's in an inspection pit, while undergoing service. I stand by what I posted, and Ed's first response.
EDIT #2 Dave, the hoses from the oxy and acetylene torch would not act as a wheel chock. Even it if it was an eletrical welder with cables, and not hoses, they are no match for a rolling locomotive.
My You Tube
well having welded for over 40 years , first off there is minimal if any flash like an arc welder with gas welding, cutting produces some flash again not like arc welding , depending on the type of arc like TIG, MIG, stick the duration of weld time differs MIG you can weld till your hand falls off , most commerical MIG'g use 40lb reels . as for position of leads, hoses it differs with each company some don't care others use hard piping with quick connects. most places i've welded we just stuck the leads/hoses where it was easiest though not welding for rr though we would put them through tracks in equipment or what ever and as op said we always{well most of the time} had a helper that stood by with fire extinguisher and if it was a mine 50lbs of rock dust , so run your cables/hoses any way you want.
mbinsewi:
When I suggested that the hoses would stop the locomotive I was referring to the model, not the real thing. If the locomotive is to be a static display then no problem, but if the OP wants to move the locomotive in and out of the bay the hoses would likely prevent that if they are between the wheels.
j. c.first off there is minimal if any flash like an arc welder with gas welding, cutting produces some flash again not like arc welding
Yes, good point j.c.
IIRC, Woodland Scenics makes an arc welder that kind of looks like a Lincoln Idealarc 250. I have one in my car shop:
Dave, I thought of that after I posted, and went to bed.
Mike.
Great responses, all!
Most of the people who will be viewing this scene will not have the practical & encyclopaedic knowledge afforded by this forum and will just see it as a work area.
But I'll run the hoses down the steps (we're concentrating on a cowcatcher that came loose during a collision with something) and place a fire extinguisher to hand beside the work area as well as more around the pit area.
As to era, there really isn't one; my backstory is that it's a mountain excursion service using trains from various eras & situations to the customer's needs. So there are a lot of steamers plus some European engines and a couple of late model diesels...and eventually, even the Hogwarts Express, once I complete the interiors & lighting...and we've only got one area for inspection & maintenance, so we make do...
Thanks again for all the advice!
I think I've come up with a compromise. While I'm really not into putting plastic people on my layout I think that I could make an exception here & put the squatting welder beside the train and blocking the bulb of the 'welding' effect. That way the hoses can go directly to the torch & not down into the pit.