Re: Rebuilding Saddle & Other Deteriorated Components

I did some research while preparing drawings of Climax CN 1551. The Channel used on 1551 was 8" H with a 5/8" Web and is/was 26# per foot. I contacted the Steel Institute in Pittsburgh, PA and they provided portions of the Carnegie Steel and Venango Steel (Johnstown, PA) catalogs circa 1916. Each catalog provided one-half of the dimensions of the channel but the catalogs were complementary and together provided ALL the dimensions.

MSR&LHA replaced some of the channel flange on the engine. We found that just under the cylinders the deposition of grease and oil had preserved the original channel. It is my thought that Climax used the same 26# channel for many of its locomotives. Doubling the channel back to back as the engine size increased and on CN1551 (a 70 Ton) adding a 1-1/2" filler/stiffner shaped to the profile of the channel to the outside of the channel. Using the dimensions obtained from the catalogs, I created a one-foot long section of the channel in 3D CADD and the CADD program reported slightly over 26# per foot. The CADD steel is probably denser that the original steel of the period as one of the members had a small piece of the original steel analysed and it had considerable inclusions - sand, etc.

Unfortunately, that size channel is no longer available.

A further Note: Climax used the same Cab on 30T to 70T locomotives. Measurements taken of the cab of 1551 (70T) and 1681 (30T) were identical - length and width. Looking at the photo of 1692 the only apparent difference is the width of the front cab windows/doors.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2020 05:39PM by WESIII.