Steam & Excursion > UP 4014 leaking steam

Why does UP 4014 leak steam on the right side when running. Big Boys never did that when operating back in the day


Chris

---

That's the new continuous Wilson blowdown sludge remover system made up by Ed Dickens and Austin Barker. Originally it would blast skyward just in front of cab leaving a white milky substance if boiler/water was very dirty (correct me if I'm wrong). 844 had this modification done as well. Not a fan of it but then again I don't own the locomotives.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/28/20 19:43 by MJV1988.

Proof of the rush to get it up and running, I'm sill glad I didn't see 4014 myself!

God forbid it looks like a working machine...

Posted from Android

Well it is a working machine, but with a very different task than designed. Gentlemen, it's plumbing and it's a cosmetic refinement to make keeping up appearances while being an ambassador for its owners a bit easier...

Cheers, Dave

And like it or not, I'm glad I got to see its beauty in person running between Salina and Hays, Kansas soon to be one year ago.  Wouldn't have missed it!

Hillcrest Wrote:
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> Well it is a working machine, but with a very
> different task than designed. Gentlemen, it's
> plumbing and it's a cosmetic refinement to make
> keeping up appearances while being an ambassador
> for its owners a bit easier...
>
> Cheers, Dave

Well Dave, that re-plumb job may help things look nice on the outside, i.e. no more white mineral deposits all over the turret and cab roof, but how the inside of the boilers on 844 and 4014 look, just might be a much different story.

ProAmtrak Wrote:
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> Proof of the rush to get it up and running, I'm
> sill glad I didn't see 4014 myself!

Sounds like you know all about why and what was done ho hum.

I'm glad Ed Dickens got 4014 back to operation . The guy has taken far too much criticism in my humble opinion. --Kelly

It looks stupid. Prefer steam to come out where it should

WAF Wrote:
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> It looks stupid. Prefer steam to come out where it
> should

Not to mention getting the minerals & sludge out of the boiler.

Steam was constantly being replumbed,refitted, modified and remodified. Few steamers carried their as-built look more than a few years.  

BillMarvel Wrote:
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> Steam was constantly being replumbed,refitted,
> modified and remodified. Few steamers carried
> their as-built look more than a few years.  

Sort of, yes. But,,,,,,,,,,,,NOT butchering the high successful and effective Wilson Blowdown Separator system, which lots and LOTS of railroads used.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hillcrest Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Well it is a working machine, but with a very
> > different task than designed. Gentlemen, it's
> > plumbing and it's a cosmetic refinement to make
> > keeping up appearances while being an
> ambassador
> > for its owners a bit easier...
> >
> > Cheers, Dave
>
> Well Dave, that re-plumb job may help things look
> nice on the outside, i.e. no more white mineral
> deposits all over the turret and cab roof, but how
> the inside of the boilers on 844 and 4014 look,
> just might be a much different story.

I'd be interested to see that too...

Cheers, Dave

WAF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It looks stupid. Prefer steam to come out where it
> should

I suppose now that she's an oil burner is the ultimate heresy? LOL

Be greatful. She could have ended up last night's sardine can, or this morning's razor blade.

Arved Grass
Fleming Island, FL

It would be no big deal to turn the deflector in towards the rail so people didn't get spritzed with it.

> Why does UP 4014 leak steam on the right side when
> running. Big Boys never did that when operating
> back in the day


Hello Chris,

There were plenty of steam leaks "back in the day", from the right side, left side, top, front, almost anywhere at one time or another...  They're just some of the many things that have been forgotten over time.  There are plenty of photos showing 4000s and other steam power with multiple steam leaks in operation in the 1940s & '50s, many posted here on TO.  We can re-post or provide links to some of them if you'd like.

Take care,

Mark  



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/20 06:33 by mamfahr.

mamfahr Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Why does UP 4014 leak steam on the right side
> when
> > running. Big Boys never did that when operating
> > back in the day
>
>
> Hello Chris,
>
> There were plenty of steam leaks "back in the
> day", from the right side, left side, top, front,
> almost anywhere at one time or another... 
> They're just some of the many things that have
> been forgotten over time.  There are plenty of
> photos showing 4000s and other steam power with
> multiple steam leaks in operation in the 1940s &
> '50s, many posted here on TO.  We can re-post or
> provide links to some of them if you'd like.
>
> Take care,
>
> Mark  

Mark,

To be clear, what he is asking about is the constant discharge of steam from the former Wilson Blowdown Separator system, which has been severely modified on both 844 and 4014. In regular service, none of the UP steam power that was equipped with the Wilson Blowdown (Sludge Remover) system, would be blowing like that ALL THE TIME. Plus, the explanation given by the current manager in a recent issue of Trains Magazine (the Ask Trains column), was totally bogus.

There are distinctions between appliance (pumps, generators,etc) exhausts, intermittent venting,
and continuous blow-down steam flows.

Technically,  leaks are the result of eroded valve seats, failed gaskets, worn packing, cracked welds,
or similar, structural defects.  Steam from those types of leaks should be remedied as soon as possible----
blowing steam will continuously erode the failed part, and will always get worse.  
You want to differentiate between a failed packing, or gasket and a structural/wear-related failure.

On older locos, fitted with hydrostatic lubricators will sometimes blow a steady stream out the cykinder cocks,
when standing...that's the way oil is carried to the cylinders ....but, the oil flow can be closed-off
during short stops, etc....but the steam still flows..

There are also cold weather related heater-pipes that will be gently blowing --- to prevent related freeze-ups
So, not all 'steam' venting ( more correctly: water vapor) is a 'leak', implying a defective condition...

[ remember: Steam is a gas, and not visible--- water vapor is a 'cloud' of cooled water-droplets forming
a very fine mist.  Low-lying fog, is NOT steam... clouds in the sky are not steam...visible white  clouds
from a locomotive are NOT 'steam'...]

​W.
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/20 08:12 by wcamp1472.

> > > Why does UP 4014 leak steam on the right side when running. Big Boys never did that when operating back in the day

> > There were plenty of steam leaks "back in the day", from the right side, left side, top, front, almost anywhere at one time or another... 

> To be clear, what he is asking about is the constant discharge of steam from the ...Separator system

Hello,

I know that's how the discussion went, but I was commenting based upon his initial reference to a "leak", which is an unintended release, and the statement that leaks never happened "back in the day".  As you know, and as Wes pointed out, an intentional discharge from a blow-down device is much different than a leak.

Take care,

Mark



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/20 08:16 by mamfahr.