Re: K-27 valves conversion costs back then

Fascinating stuff here !
I have some questions and reflexions about the informations Earl gave us :

- What could be the « reclaimed materials » generating savings on the conversion costs ?
Is it materials removed from the engines and used elsewhere (or scrapped) ? Or materials already on hand and put on the rebuilt engines, thus generating the savings compared to acquiring brand new items ?

- Dates when the first four engines where converted to piston valves (the « Inboard » ones).
Earl’s AFE Book suggest that the four Inboard were done before 1919. However, the above picture of 454, still with slide valves, is dated June 1923.
I wonder if it states the dates when the job was really done, or when the order was issued ? The modifications thus being done when they were due for shopping.



I also tend to think that the program could have been from the beginning with the idea to add superheat. Otherwise, I really don’t see any advantages in converting to piston valves if retaining the inside Stephenson valve gear.

Dennis O’Berry « The Mudhens » brings out some details of the 1917 Loree/Hess report for D&RG, covering recommended improvements to be applied to the Mudhens :
- very difficult access to valve motion in case of breakdown on the line
- eccentrics lubrication wiped out by snow
- the above leading to the recommended installation of an outside valve motion
And finally, in preparation for superheat :
- application of piston valves for just about $200 more than slide valve

The D&RG was maybe reluctant to do the modifications, but in the end they indeed started the program. And they seemed to follow the report’s suggestion to do the work in separate tasks, probably as the engines were due for running gear shopping, and leaving the superheating of boiler for later.

O’Berry’s book also state that the slide valve cylinders and frame connecting parts were ordered from Baldwin.
Could it be because the engines were still covered by a warranty of some sort ? Or just because it was easier to order directly from the builder than to cast the parts themselves at Burnam !?

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Sebastien
SNCF passenger trains engineer
Volunteer on the "Chemin de Fer de Rillé" (60cm/2ft, France)
www.aecfm.fr
cfrtrain.blogspot.fr



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2019 07:45AM by SebJ.