Hi John! that's got to be some good stainless you've got on your 'fridge. We've got a regular steel door 'fridge, we'd be lost without those magnets!
Wayne
Firelock76Depending on what grade of stainless steel you're using some varieties are easier to work with than others.
Wayne,
Many years ago studying strength of materials I learned that materials have characteristics. In the construction of anything materials are chosen for their characteristics. An important characteristic is how easy the material is to work with. However, materials that are easy to work with tend to lack durability. For example, in the early days of the industrial revolution a lot of wood was used for various purposes; as time went on steel replaced it. And of course there are many kinds of steel.
I do know that stainless steel will not attract a magnet. For example, stainless steel refrigerator doors will not hold a magnet which can be a pain in the neck.
John
Hello John! Quite right about the use of stainless steel on passenger cars, however it's easier to work with if you're doing passenger cars. As I understand it it was the compound curves on the E units that caused the hassles. On conventional E and F units they fudged the curves a bit by using auto body putty and painting over it. They couldn't get away with that with a straight stainless exterior.
Depending on what grade of stainless steel you're using some varieties are easier to work with than others. A machinist friend of mine once told me trying to work with pure stainless will reduce a veteran machinist to tears of frustration. Lower the chromium content and it gets easier, however it also reduces the rust resistant properties. It's a trade-off at best.
Just for fun, here's a little experiment you can try at home if you've got a magnet handy. Chances are you've got stainless steel "silverware" in your home. If it attracts and holds a magnet it's a lesser grade of stainless used to make the manufacturing process easier. Pure stainless won't attract a magnet.
Ddid not the RI TA's, 1200 HP B B's, also have stainless steel side sheets? The original "Rocket" power.
Firelock76The process wasn't repeated as stainless turned out to be a real headache to work with, at least on E units.
But Wayne, as I am sure you know it is very common today to see passenger cars made of stainless steel. Of course over the years I'm sure new techniques for working with it have been developed.
I recall reading somewhere the Burlington's E units for the Zephyr were the only ones that had stainless steel exteriors. The process wasn't repeated as stainless turned out to be a real headache to work with, at least on E units.
But it just looks so cool, doesn't it? And look how well it's held up.
Mario_v Here's something that one wont see everyday, the Nebraska Zephyr doing what it used to do, before going into 'retirement' watch?v=OObEGgz3l7I On this second video it seems to be scorching the ties watch?v=wiNjLHoLuAE
Here's something that one wont see everyday, the Nebraska Zephyr doing what it used to do, before going into 'retirement'
watch?v=OObEGgz3l7I
On this second video it seems to be scorching the ties
watch?v=wiNjLHoLuAE
Neat, neat, neat! Thanks for the reference.
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