Model Railroading > 1/8 scale feedwater heaters

Do any of you run feedwater heater systems on 1.5"/1.6" scale live steam locomotives? Is it worth installing such a system in a locomotive of this size, or is the difference in performance negligible?

5511_ Wrote:
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> Do any of you run feedwater heater systems on
> 1.5"/1.6" scale live steam locomotives? Is it
> worth installing such a system in a locomotive of
> this size, or is the difference in performance
> negligible?

I saw a discussion about this on the Chaski Live Steam board, and the answer was mixed. On 3/4 and 1 inch scales, not much. On the 1 1/2" (1/8) scale with larger boilers, yes, some improvement. 

I am planning to preheat my boiler water by putting a couple of coils of copper tubing in the firebox, before sending to the boiler. I have a 1" 0-6-0

CPRR Wrote:
> I am planning to preheat my boiler water by
> putting a couple of coils of copper tubing in the
> firebox, before sending to the boiler. I have a 1"
> 0-6-0

I hadn't considered that before... If I retrofit my engine with an axle pump I may try that as well. Probably a lot easier to maintain than a full prototypical FWH system.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/19 18:51 by 5511_.

Yes they do work if you put a sufficient amount of coil in the smokebox.  It is very hard to cram them into boilers 6" or smaller, but has been done.   Much easier on larger engines.

Useful for axle, crosshead, steam, electric and hand pumps.  Don't need it for injectors as the water is already pre-heated by the injector.

Mike Massee
Tehachapi, CA
Photography, Railroading and more..

Harlock Wrote:
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> Yes they do work if you put a sufficient amount of
> coil in the smokebox.  It is very hard to cram
> them into boilers 6" or smaller, but has been
> done.   Much easier on larger engines.
>
> Useful for axle, crosshead, steam, electric and
> hand pumps.  Don't need it for injectors as the
> water is already pre-heated by the injector.

Thanks for the confirmation Mike. I plan a whole bunch of changes on my switcher

5511_ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> CPRR Wrote:
> > I am planning to preheat my boiler water by
> > putting a couple of coils of copper tubing in
> the
> > firebox, before sending to the boiler. I have a
> 1"
> > 0-6-0
>
> I hadn't considered that before... If I retrofit
> my engine with an axle pump I may try that as
> well. Probably a lot easier to maintain than a
> full prototypical FWH system.

I would think the firebox coils might be subject to overheating when the engine is not drawing water.

-John

I suppose it depends on how big the boiler is.  On my Allen ten-wheeler, cold water
injected in the boiler helps keep the safety valves from popping.  With hot water they
would be lifting more often.  I do agree that if used, tubing should be used in the smokebox,
not the firebox. 

WrongWayMurphy Wrote:
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> I suppose it depends on how big the boiler is.
>  On my Allen ten-wheeler, cold water
> injected in the boiler helps keep the safety
> valves from popping.

On a 12" scale engine, the firemans responsibility is to constantly monitor and balance firebox temperature, steam pressure (temperature), and water level.

-LD aka John Stein

Sorry guys, I made a typo. NOT the firebox, the smokebox. Copper tubing would not do well in the firebox.