Steam locomotive-tender water suction hose?

Doug Debs 2472 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:59 pm

What are folks using these days for steam locomotive-tender water suction hose?

Reason for this question:

In 1991, we had to find unusually flexible locomotive-tender water suction hose for 4-6-2 S.P. 2472. The industrial track leading to Hunter's Point Shipyard has 29-degree curves, so flexibility was imperative. We chose 4” I.D. Titan Rubber SP-353 tank truck hose, which is rated at 10” minimum bend radius (!!), -40F to +150F temp, full vacuum to 150psi. We used pieces of 3-1/2” I.D., ¼” wall black rubber hose to sleeve our 3-1/2” O.D. hose bibs to 4”. Titan SP-353 is black with circus-orange spiral ribs, and just doesn’t look like anything from the steam era. So we painted it black. It worked fine for 15 years, but is now worn out. S.P. 2472 moved to Niles Canyon Railway a month ago, so we don’t have to live with such tight curves anymore. Now that we need to replace this hose, we’re wondering what others recommend.

Thanks in advance,
- Doug Debs
- Golden Gate Railroad Museum

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

Doug Debs 2472 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:00 pm

Quote:

BTW How did you get that engine to go around a 29 degree curve?

We were never able to get 2472 to think like a SF Muni streetcar, so here's what we did instead:
1. Install extra-flexible water suction hoses, with extra length for stretch on tight curves. The hose bibs are positioned quite low - much lower than on S.P. 4449, for example - so the extra length was supported by a chain hanger.
2. Slack off on the engine-tender buffer (we installed a ratchet wrench handle on the adjuster screw) before attempting any tight curves.
3. Position all engine-tender hoses and flexible connections (oil fuel, tank header, air brakes) for as close to centerline as possible.
4. Our Delta trailing truck is an intermediate design that includes equalization with the driving wheels on each side, but was built just before the design was changed to include "upside-down heart-shaped" centering rockers. The truck can swing until the 51" diameter trailing wheel inside face rubs against the locomotive frame. Bill Bartoli made SP-style drip-feed lubricators for the rub areas. This was safer than walking alongside with a bucket of oil and an old mop.
5. Widen gauge judiciously on tight curves.
6. Grease side of railhead (on really tight curves, grease everything).
7. Ignore the slight bent in the cab handrails where the tender deck pushed on them on tight curves.
8. Don't be tempted to replace slightly worn (but within wear-limit spec) driving wheel hub liners.
9. Whenever possible, pull/push 2472 through curves with a diesel switcher (or Pettibone Carry-Lift), to minimize chances of the 73" driving wheels climbing the railhead.
10. Go very slow and be careful.

It worked for us, but I'm glad we don't have to deal with this issue anymore!
- Doug Debs