Re: Feedwater heaters on the K series

Trevor,
Exh steam injectors are very much more complicated than live steam injectors of equal capacity.
There is a question in my recollection that:
1. I don't know how small in GPH these injectors were made. But,
2. I seem to recollect that wasn't one class of WP&Y later 2-8-2's or at least something similar size wise to the larger "K" type engines had exh steam inj in use.
But for what it is worth, I personally don't think they would be worth the money to make and install one. Better to go a feed water heater.
They were generally more dependable albeit more expensive.
Exh steam Inj's while cheaper did like operations where the locomotive could be set up and left alone for longer periods of time (slow climbs up heavy grades or long runs over flat lands).
I believe the UP 3985 has an Elesco ESI on the left side. It works well, but they have had to spend bucks to replace parts. An this I believe is all reverse engineering as very little detail drawings form Elesco Co made it out alive.
Believe the Ohio Central has one on their ex-GTW 4-8-4.
Their desired operation would in part, fit both ex-drgw NG operations. However, they take money to maintain and someone really has to know the injectors, as they could be a pain in the tail feathers to keep in good operation.
Also, they were to be able to be operated in or changed over to a live steam opertion. Just as with a regular injector. But my understanding is they were real steam hogs when in live steam mode.
Now to by fair about it, I have never worked on one other than to remove one and install a live steam injector in its place. So my information comes from old heads (some DRGW people and Canadian). Some roads had very good luck with them. But good maintenance and spares were the key.
Win the lottery and see how far it goes. Might be better to keep it simple.
Chris