Greetings folks,
My group and I decided to go ahead with the project and have proposed it to our prof. for aproval. I realize it isn't commercially viable to redesign or recertify locomotive safeties, but it's more interesting than any of the other ideas we had. Also, my prof. said he has relatively limited experience with ASME code, so any light our project could shed on that would be invaluable. Things I want to look at include combining the performance of older valves with lift bars which modern valves have, and look at if modern techniques can improve sound muffling.

Any one know where one might be able to procure drawings for one of the older type valves? I think the first step in this project would be to analyze an old valve and try and thoroughly understand how it works.

Regards,
Trevor Hartford

If you dig around in the "live steam" hobbyist forums, there is a fellow selling complete copies of Crosby and Ashcroft safety valve catalogs and technical manuals from the steam era, as pdf on CD. I have a copy buried somewhere.

Jeez, where was this guy when I was fighting with the Ashcrofts on the 1522 for years and years. Biggest problem I had was finding good springs.
I think Linn Moedinger is the answer for safety valves today. If I was having problems now with them like I was then, I'd find the money somewhere and buy his new ones. If Linn does it, it's gotta be good. (Like Smuckers)

Also, since Valley Railroad says they have a good modern source, perhaps devote your energy to studying what makes these valves work well, particularly what their installer does special, and make a diagram explaining same. Then maybe see what can be done to make them better, perhaps last longer