Anyone else notice a problem in the "Briefs" item elsewhere on this site, quoting a Denver Post story about a "hydrostatic test" of the Alamosa park engine?<p>According to this news item, a "hydrostatic test" was conducted on this 1883 4-6-0 by placing a gas burner in the firebox, and raising steam pressure to 200 lbs., presumably with the safety valves cranked down.<p>I would like very much to think that the newspaper reporter was told "200 degrees" and not "200 pounds," especially insomuch as no "serious" leaks were found. At 200 lbs. steam pressure, any leak might be serious, which is why you do a hydro test before steaming an engine, especially one that has lain derelict since 1941.<p>Aarne Frobom<br>Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc.<br>Owosso, Michigan<br>

When using a propane burner to hydrostatic test a boiler, you do not use the heat to raile steam. You only usit to expand the water in the boiler to create the necessary hydrostatic pressure. To be successful in hydrostatic testing a boiler using this method, the saftey valves must be romoved and pluged, the boiler be completely full of water, and everything including the throttle must be closed very tight. The slightest leakage will dissipate any pressure you could achieve using this process. You never use steam or air to test a boiler.Failure of the boiler while doing so could be catastrophic.<br> Roger Mitchell<br> Master Mechanic<br> Fort Collins Municipal Railway<br>



rogerm@ezlink.com