Traction Engines: The Importance of washing out your Boiler…
This blog post is a revisit to a topic we have discussed over the years and made a feature of in the Vintage Spirit several years ago. Working at Berrybrook Steam & Classics, we see a relatively large number of miniature traction engines every year. Whilst we spend lots of our time tinkering with injectors, adjusting incorrectly set pressure release valves and unsticking clack valves, the one problem which we see time and time again are steel boilers in desperate need of a good wash out!
The photos here highlight the issue with allowing scale and debris to build up, unwashed, around the foundation ring of a steel traction engine boiler. Although this build-up starts off loose and cleanable, it doesn’t take long for it to cake in and become almost impossible to remove. Photographed below is a section taken from a half size engine we saw (and removed from service) a few years ago. This particular boiler was condemned for two reasons; firstly, it had a severe, irreversible build-up of solid scale around the foundation ring and secondly, the crown had worn too thin. Thinning of material in an older engine can be slowed with appropriate boiler treatment procedures and careful maintenance but is largely unavoidable. On the contrary, the build-up of scale is totally avoidable with a thorough, regular wash out schedule.
The message regarding the importance of washing out your boiler is not a new one. I found the following extract in a reprint of a Marshall, Sons & Co. Ltd publication titled ‘Instructions for the Working and General Management of Traction Engines & Steam Road Rollers’ and we have taken care to retain the bold font in the same place Marshall did…
‘It is desirable that clean soft water should be used. Dirty and hard water will deposit sediment and scale on the inside of the boiler, cause leaky joints and tubes, and give extra trouble in cleaning. It is necessary to clean out frequently, say every ten days, if using good water; and every five days if dirty and hard water. On no account should this be neglected. The boiler will then last longer and repairs will be insignificant.’
(Marshall, Sons & Co. Ltd., TEE Publishing, 1984)
Take notice if your inspector recommends a descale this winter and always avoid leaving water sitting in the boiler for any real length of time. It goes without saying that for every engine we see with a severe build-up, we see plenty which have been maintained diligently and are crystal clean inside so, if in doubt, ask around and see how everyone else combatting build-up in their miniature!
