Steam & Excursion > D&S 493 Approaching Durango, CO

February 15, 2020.  The newly restored and converted 493 approaches Durango with the Cascade Canyon train.  

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Thanks for posting.  What is the arch-shaped pipe in front of the cab?

LTCerny Wrote:
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> Thanks for posting.  What is the arch-shaped pipe
> in front of the cab?

Since there is one on each side, I'm guessing that/those "arch-shaped pipes" would be the steam supply to each injector.

HotWater Wrote:
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> LTCerny Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Thanks for posting.  What is the arch-shaped
> pipe
> > in front of the cab?
>
> Since there is one on each side, I'm guessing
> that/those "arch-shaped pipes" would be the steam
> supply to each injector.

I noticed them right away on the previous post and thought the same thing. I wonder why they didn't do it the way it originally was?...To me, they seem to be somewhat distracting to the eye

LTCerny Wrote:
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> Thanks for posting.  What is the arch-shaped pipe
> in front of the cab?

I have been wondering why they decided to it this way as well. There has to be a good reason. 

That pipe looks like a temporary jury rig that was done for some reason.

Below is a photo showing the injector setup on the 499, probably many years ago.  

On 493, they located the injector under the cab, and needed a much longer steam line from the turret.  Perhaps they made the big loop in the pipe because they were short an elbow for the turret connection.  By the way, it looks like they put a brass shutoff valve at about the middle of the steam line.

The line from the injector to the boiler check valve looks like sloppy workmanshiip.  I suspect they were short on time to get the engine on the road and didn't quite finish everything.

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Didn't they go to a non-lifting injector which by nature would be under the cab?

Out 

callum_out Wrote:
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> Didn't they go to a non-lifting injector which by
> nature would be under the cab?
>
> Out 

I tend to agree. The photo of #499 clearly shows a lifting injector, while the current photos of #493 sure appear to show non-lifting injectors, mounted under the cab, on both the Engineer's and Fireman's sides.

The trend after about 1920 was from lifting injectors to non-lifting injectors (often supplementing feedwater heaters and pumps) because of greater water flow and less sensitivity to problems like leaks in the water supply line and warm feed water.  So the injector change on 493 may be considered an upgrade or improvement, as opposed to maintaining historic authenticity.

Uh, historical accuracy? It used to be a coal burner, it used to have an absolute minimum of flexible stays, etc. It used
to be a Consolidation! Historical accuracy is whatever is going on today.

Out 

I've been wondering too why they didn't run the line from the turret to the starter valve down against the boiler.  And paint in the wrapping black.  Just wondering, not criticizing.

Considering that the cab plumbing doesn't look too bad it's hard to believe they forgot how to run
pipe when they came to those two feeds.

Out 

Indeed, it was clearly intentional. 

Since they were in the process of making a conversion to non-lifting injectors under the cab, perhaps the plumbing was seen as a temporary setup for testing how they would work, before investing time in proper pipe fitting.

Good point, though at altitude a non-lifting injector has an advantage.

Out