I'm trying to obtain some information for a friend who is involved in a steam locomotive moving project. (by truck, with minimum number of cranes...) Is anyone out here capable of calculating the approximate weight of a locomotive boiler based on the the boiler dimensions, type of appliances, and total engine weight? We are actually needing to obtain a weight figure for the running gear after the boiler is separated from the frame. While it may be possible to calculate the info we need from archival data, the research would take a while and time is of the essence, as there is a deadline for removal from the property. Chunks of locomotive need to start moving within 3 weeks.

Regards,

Gary

I'll amaze and dazzle all with my assumption that this is "Lost Engines of Roanoke" related..........namely three ex-N&W 4-8-0 locos, huh?

Congratulations, Mark! You are the winner of of this month's "RYPN Dr. Werner von Braun" award..........:)

Of course it is related to the "Lost Engines". Besides the lift capacity and swing ability of the cranes, there are bridge loadings to be dealt with in all directions from the scrapyard. Our (Roanoke Chapter NRHS) 9th St. facility (Otherwise known to those RYPN'rs who attended last month's N&WHS Convention as the "Southeast Roanoke Not-So-Scenic RR") will be serving as a staging area for some of the movements, as it is only a mile away from the scrapyard.

Regards,

I had to do a similar exercise for moving a steam locomotive. Assuming a ballpark figure is what you need and you have the plans, calculate the area of steel you have and multiply by .284 Lb/in cubed. It will take a while to do the calculations but will give you your number. As for appliances there are probably know numbers for those, if not you can ballpark those also.

Whoever loads the pieces will likely have scales on the cranes so you will have a more accurate idea for your bridge loadings.

When I did it the boiler was full stripped and the tubes had been removed, making easier. I also added a 10% fudge factor. According to the scales on the cranes, my pre-fudge numbers were closer.

Roger

.

If you have access to the original spec sheet, blue prints, etc., which will come in handy for the restoration anyway, all that information will be right on the sheet. What are they? Baldwins? I have no idea who has the archives from the Baldwin Locomotive Works, if they still exist at all, but if you can find that out you're laughing.

The DeGolyer Library has the Baldwin M2 drawings in their collection, I'd imagine the specs for the Roanoke-built M2c would be similar. The Norfolk Southern archives may have those anyway. Of course, with all the pieces that have gone missing in the last 59 years, especially off the 1151, I'm guessing you'll find these things will be significantly lighter than spec anyway!