washout plugs

[NW Mailing List]

I’ll add the attached some information from a 1929 Locomotive Cyclopedia to Ken’s excellent summary. These pages have some interesting procedural details around cooling the boiler and sequencing of the washing. I’m sure some people on this list (possibly including my father) have practical experience doing this - so maybe we’ll hear some stories (I imagine winter time washouts being a real pain!).

Cool catch Mike.

Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio, US



> On Nov 30, 2023, at 2:48 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Ken,
> Thank you for the thorough answer!
> It's one of those things we hear about and one of the parts of the locomotive that we know the name of, but I'm assuming not too many people know the specifics of the operation. 
> 
> Mike Rector
> 
> On Thu, Nov 30, 2023, 2:10 PM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>> wrote:
>> Mike
>> 
>> As Zac told you, it was indeed a boiler wash underway, and that is the water draining out.
>> 
>> The boiler wash was required at a minimum monthly, more often if you are in a situation of bad water.
>> 
>> I’m not the steam expert. But from my understanding, aA boiler wash was mandatory on the 30 day inspection.  The purpose is to remove scale, sediment and mud from the boiler. As all that can cause issues with poor steaming, and wear and tear on the boiler for no purpose.
>> 
>> Part of the applicable Federal Code 49 CFR, as up to date as today is as follows:
>> 
>> WASHING BOILERS
>> 
>> § 230.60 Time of washing.
>> a) Frequency of washing. All boilers shall thoroughly be washed as often as the water conditions require, but
>> not less frequently than at each 31 service day inspection. The date of the boiler wash shall be noted on
>> the FRA Form No. 1 or FRA Form No. 3. (See appendix B of this part.)
>> 
>> (b) Plug removal. All washout plugs, arch tube plugs, thermic siphon plugs, circulator plugs and water bar
>> plugs must be removed whenever locomotive boilers are washed.
>> 
>> (c) Plug maintenance. All washout plugs, washout plug sleeves and threaded openings shall be maintained in
>> a safe and suitable condition for service and shall be examined for defects each time the plugs are
>> removed.
>> 
>> (d) Fusible plugs cleaned. Fusible plugs shall be cleaned in accordance with § 230.59.
>> 
>> 
>> § 230.61 Arch tubes, water bar tubes, circulators and thermic siphons.
>> 
>> (a) Frequency of cleaning. Each time the boiler is washed, arch tubes and water bar tubes shall thoroughly be
>> cleaned mechanically, washed, and inspected. Circulators and thermic siphons shall thoroughly be
>> cleaned, washed and inspected.
>> 
>> (b) Defects. Arch tubes and water bar tubes found blistered, bulged, or otherwise defective shall be renewed.
>> Circulators and thermic siphons found blistered, bulged or otherwise defective shall be either repaired or
>> renewed.
>> 
>> (c) Method of examination. Arch tubes, water bar tubes and circulators shall be examined using an
>> appropriate NDE method that accurately measures wall thickness at each annual inspection. All arch brick
>> shall be removed for this inspection. If any are found with wall thickness reduced below that required to
>> render them safe and suitable for the service intended at the MAWP specified on the boiler specification
>> FRA Form No. 4, they must be replaced or repaired. (See appendix B of this part.)
>> 
>> If you really want to get the entire 49 CFR Part 230, you can get it here:
>> 
>> https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-II/part-230
>> 
>> Best
>> Ken Miller
>> 
>> > On Nov 30, 2023, at 10:11 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org <mailto:nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>> wrote:
>> > 
>> > In this Otto Petty Roanoke Z1b #1472 image, they appear to have a hose in the washout plug. Is that an accurate account of what I see here?
>> > 
>> > What is the purpose of this process, and how often did it occur, and what is involved?
>> > Are these above or below the boiler water level? Or is the boiler emptied to wash out all the sediments and pollutants?
>> > Is the water flowing out of a pipe below related to this process?
>> > Mike Rector
>> > 
>> > https://cdm16079.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15330coll22/id/65071/rec/53
>> > <image.png>
>> > 
>> > 
>> > 
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