Steam & Excursion > Number 18 Broken Piston At Durango

Friend sent me a picture of the right cylinder and piston of the number 18 engine at Durango showing it broken and cylinder head has a hole in it along with another showing piston broken. Is this a current one or old news? Thanks Boyd in Chiloquin

This was posted when it happened a few days ago.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,4769722

Martin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/11/19 07:09 by LoggerHogger.

Water
Looks like a big priming issue or high water.
To bad.
Expensive!

My life’s experience has shown a title doesn’t necessarily equate exerperience.
 I‘ve been firing locomotives for over 3 years, as a job, and I’m just starting to gain knowledge and confidence.

engrbob Wrote:
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> Water
> Looks like a big priming issue or high water.
> To bad.
> Expensive!
>
> My life’s experience has shown a title doesn’t
> necessarily equate exerperience.
>  I‘ve been firing locomotives for over 3 years,
> as a job, and I’m just starting to gain
> knowledge and confidence.

Nope, NOT water related. Reportedly a piston ring (packing) broke and snagged a port, which subsequently broke up the piston. As the piston broke up, apparently a piece in the center was then forced against the cylinder head, punching a nice round hole in the center of the head.

WOW!
That’s really too bad.
 I was hoping to see 18 under steam this year.

What’s the crosshead look like, after the accident?

Heavy cast iron piston pieces not likely to magically hang in mid-air. ...waiting for the “croquet shot “ at the exact center of the cylinder head...

​W.

RYPN is blaming a lube failure...

Kimball Wrote:
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> RYPN is blaming a lube failure...

OK, but since the 18 has hydrostatic lubrication, I don't see how THAT "failure" would cause the piston itself to break up.

Lube failure or not, ring leaves piston groove, ring catches port edge. Now you've got a mechanically keyed joint.... With the piston rod coming forward because the left side is still driving against a keyed-in piston. So, piston casting shatters and rod proceeds merrily forward with debris on the nut punching a neat center hole in the head where the nut relief cut is.

Based on the photos and descriptions over on the narrow gauge discussion group, that seems like the logical failure sequence. Of course, no post-failure assesement is ever certain leading to endless speculation on precisely what may or may not have happened.

SRK

HotWater Wrote:
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> Kimball Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > RYPN is blaming a lube failure...
>
> OK, but since the 18 has hydrostatic lubrication,
> I don't see how THAT "failure" would cause the
> piston itself to break up.

Steve Krause
Chillicothe, IL

TRAINS has posted video and you can listen to the sound. Not what you want to hear coming from a locomotive.

http://trn.trains.com/news/news-wire/2019/04/video-southern-pacific-no-18-blows-a-cylinder-while-on-dsng-excursion?fbclid=IwAR1NqD_ZXpfT0GCTu-N_OAo_AGxUnGcmRpMshdPug12BQnw9LYbNdwFhCL4

Thanks guys as missed it and a friend sent me just the pix no info. Boyd in Chiloquin

Holy crap!!!

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions