B12 question

[Bill Bedford]

Never heard of the camel nickname.

Since the last of the water heating gadgets disappeared pre WW2, I can't say I'm surprised.

[mccormackpj]

Apologies for bumping this topic, but it's related (I think) to my question re. the GER S69/1500s built by Beardmore's. I came across this image some while ago and despite some replies in another forum, there was no satisfactory explanation of the pipework and gubbins on and under the footplate beside the smokebox. It is clearly not the feedwater apparatus fitted later to some B12s. My thoughts are that it is using the exhaust steam in some manner, but for what? A different type of feed water heater? An exhaust injector?



Hope someone can shed some light on a mystery that has niggled me for some while.

Patrick

[65447]

Apologies for bumping this topic, but it's related (I think) to my question re. the GER S69/1500s built by Beardmore's. I came across this image some while ago and despite some replies in another forum, there was no satisfactory explanation of the pipework and gubbins on and under the footplate beside the smokebox. It is clearly not the feedwater apparatus fitted later to some B12s. My thoughts are that it is using the exhaust steam in some manner, but for what? A different type of feed water heater? An exhaust injector?

The first loco fitted with this apparatus/device was 1541, which was also the first loco built by Beardmore, into service during June 1920, and it was fitted to all 20 of that order.

What is it? Yeadon variously describes it as a Davies & Metcalfe exhaust steam injector and a live steam injector. These locos were also fitted with a ash ejector in the smokebox.

Niggle suitably treated?

[harvester]

I was always led to believe the advantage of the feed water heater was largely negated by the British practice of using exaust steam injectors, these heating the water sufficiently. I think I also read many years ago that if the supply water temperature rose too high the injectors failed to work?

[sirbrian]

In reply to "Harvester", the rationale behind the widespread use of exhaust steam injectors was to make use of otherwise 'waste' steam, thereby saving energy, compared with using 'live' steam from the boiler to activate the injectors. Heating the feedwater with exhaust steam was only a secondary benefit.

Sir Brian

[mccormackpj]

What is it? Yeadon variously describes it as a Davies & Metcalfe exhaust steam injector and a live steam injector. These locos were also fitted with a ash ejector in the smokebox.

Niggle suitably treated?

Niggle has been considerably soothed by your reply. Thinking about the BR Standards and the amount of plumbing hanging under their cabs, it is no surprise that an exhaust injector didn't really look very neat on one of the handsomest Edwardian 4-6-0s to run in the UK.

Thanks!

Patrick

[65447]

According to the RTCS vol 2B 'hikers' was the name given to B12 in Scotland, while the GE men called the ACFI fitted locos 'camels'.

According to a long since retired GE Section (Norwich) loco man the nickname was 'Hikers' for the backpack effect - he's never heard of 'Camels' in this context. That's not to say that it wasn't used by someone somewhere...