Winter time steam operations

Discussion in 'General Steam' started by Douglas wayne, Dec 8, 2016.

  1. Douglas wayne

    Douglas wayne Member

    In cold weather was there a problem with water freezing in the tender? Did coal freeze in the tower or the tinder?
     
  2. Steamnut

    Steamnut cinder sniffer

    Depending on the initial temperature of the water in the tender, it could take days to freeze, but it could. A whole boiler could freeze if subjected to extreme cold long enough. Roundhouse crews had to be mindful of which locos were drained and which ones to keep warm for use.

    The bigger and more immediate problem is water freezing in all the piping. Every pipe whether steam or water could split if water was left in them. Even injectors, air pumps and turbogenerators could be destroyed if not drained.

    As far as coal, unless someone sprayed it with water it won't freeze. It's just combustible rock... :D You might ask Frisco1522 about oil firing at cold temperatures. Bunker oil gets a might thick when it's cold outside...
     
  3. Douglas wayne

    Douglas wayne Member

    Yes, I didn't quite word that right, I didn't think water would freeze in the tanks but the pipes and hoses might freeze. Sounds like a lot of work to drain everything, a guy probably got soaking wet!
     
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2016
  4. Pipes and appliances were issues. There are stories of coal freezing in cars, only time I could see it in a tender is extreme cold with a lot of moisture. But I have never heard of it happening.
     

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