Re: Second FES locomotive- Probably not added steel plates.

The added structure on boiler is for water. Possible for increased air capacity but far more expensive than a simple big cylindrical tank that could be placed on tender. More sand capacity than needed.

Solid steel would be extremely heavy, beyond any useful advantage for increased adhesion. The additional solid steel weight would cause new problems elsewhere; broken rail, spread rail, broken engine springs, a leaking bent boiler, a broken engine frame (they were usually cast iron) and short engine bearing life. Unless? The locomotive and entire railroad was rebuilt for the dramatically increased weight of a additional solid steel structure the size shown in photo.

Consider that the thickness of steel plates added to the Uintah mallet for more adhesion & traction after the water tanks were removed is not readily apparent in photos.

Think about a empty bucket and its weight. Average bucket holds 67 cubic foot.
Now fill it with water, the water weighs...41.5 lbs. Empty the bucket.
Now fill with dry sand, sand weight is.... 60.3 lbs. Empty the bucket.
Now fill with cast steel, steel weight is 382.3 lbs. A huge increase over water volume of the same size!

Edited for clarity.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2023 02:11PM by RDannemann.