Hollow Stays

Looking at a boiler drawing (7 1/4 Tich) I was wondering why model loco boilers have a hollow stay for the blower. Is this a feature of full size boilers? as a simple pipe from the turret seems a far simpler solution.

or am I missing something vital??

Nick

Might be to send steam forward thru a hollow tube which is in the steam / hot water space. If a pipe was used outside the boiler the steam could condense. This would make a sputterer rather than a blower. 8^)

My Maxitrak Swallow blower is a simple copper pipe from the steam Tee running outside the boiler . It works very well. Given the shc of copper I would suggest that after even a few seconds of passing steam the pipe temperature would be such that touching it would be a painful learning experience. It also has a VERY simple regulator sealed with a O ring. KISS Brian C

Run the pipe next to the boiler under the cladding. I've seen completely external pipes emitting a mix of water and steam at the blower, but mine work fine

According to Martin Evans (Evening Star, Argus Books, 1980) "LBSC did not usually specify any form of lagging or cleading for his boilers", which may explain his use of a hollow stay.

Brian

It is noticeable that continental locos, in fact almost all apart countries from British designed locos are festooned with external pipes. Unless they have some facilities that our magical locos don't need then it must be that our designers are finding ways to hide such pipes and they have all, including the blower feed on the outside. Yes?

The steam locomotives of the New Zealand Railways are festooned with plumbing.

Ian S C

Having worked on full size British and continental locos. All I can say is thank goodness for hanging everything out!

Andre.

I recall the story of one British loco that used an external pipe for the blower, and it led to multiple burn accidents because it got used as a grab rail. I don't remember the solution.

Neil