Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. Porter 0-4-0T No. 54

M Austin · **Joined:** Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:05 am **Posts:** 481

From The Boilermaker 1923:

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Dave · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:38 am

Thank you Matt - great information and a nice bit of technological history to attach to the project.

dave

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:41 am

Matt,
Thanks for posting this. It answers a few questions that I have had about these J&L locomotives. It seems that even the 54 was not heavy enough for the service, because the next and last series of locomotives, 57-61 were increased in weight to 93,000 lbs. with a five foot wheelbase.

Of that last order of locomotives, three and a half still exist. We have 58 here in Youngstown under restoration, and 57 and either 60 or 61 are up in Canada. The "half" locomotive is 59, of which the boiler, drivers and some of the running gear still exist and I am in the process of obtaining and bringing those parts to Youngstown.

Just last week I found the saddle tank for the 58 and the drivers for 59 in a backyard in SW Pennsylvania.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/33523379@ ... 174154139/

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:51 am

Comparing the boiler drawing for 54 with the boiler drawing that we have for 57-61, the later boilers are of the same design with same shell diameter and even same dome, but each course had been lengthened. Firebox went from 34 1/2" to 38 1/2" long, first course went from 61 7/8" to 76 7/8", and the second course from 25 7/8" to 34 5/16" long. Overall height of firebox is unchanged.

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:07 am

Here is a better version of the Porter builders photo. The original is in the collection of the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation in Homestead, PA

https://www.flickr.com/photos/33523379@N03/16934942021/

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

Article says:

Quote:

...mudring corners autogenously welded.

Believe that means gas welded. Would these need to be redone with modern arc welds for the loco to operate today?

crij · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 12:15 am **Posts:** 585

Just checked an old Machinery Handbook (1914, first edition, reprint), Autogenous welding is gas welding, or as they define it: `The process of fusing and uniting metals by the application of intense heat without compression or the use of flux is termed "autogenous welding"' So back in the old days that would limit it to Oxygen/Acetylene and Oxygen/Hydrogen gas torches, now a days you could probably add in GTAW (TIG).

Rich C.

rock island lines wrote:

Article says:

Quote:

...mudring corners autogenously welded.

Believe that means gas welded. Would these need to be redone with modern arc welds for the loco to operate today?

Rick Rowlands · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 4:45 pm

rock island lines wrote:

Article says:

Quote:

...mudring corners autogenously welded.

Believe that means gas welded. Would these need to be redone with modern arc welds for the loco to operate today?

No. The boiler is regulated by the state of Ohio and not FRA, and Ohio permits it.

rock island lines · **Joined:** Mon Feb 17, 2014 4:20 pm **Posts:** 487

Thanks for the reply. I'm not knowledge about steam locos, so just asked out of curiosity.
I'm a fan of your museum and excited about seeing this loco project come together.

philip.marshall · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 5:45 pm

Congratulations on finding the saddle tank for 58, Rick! Do you think it might still be usable? How did the parts get so scattered?

-Philip Marshall

M Austin · **Joined:** Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:05 am **Posts:** 481

Actually, up until the 1930s, "welding" universally meant blacksmith forge welding. In the 19 teens both gas and electric welding were vying for universal acceptance and both were termed "autogenous welding". Liberally translated as "self-generating heat source" welding instead of the "stick it in the furnace and then beat it together some more" welding technique.

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It is interesting to note that North America still requires grab irons to be riveted or bolted on. Welding is not an allowed method of attachment. Too many guys died from welded grab irons coming off in their hands from bad welds. Railroads reputation for welding quality control was so bad it was 1946 before the ICC allowed seal welding of staybolts in the firebox.

Dave · **Posted:** Thu Mar 26, 2015 7:48 pm

World War II taught us a lot about welding technology, much as recent wars have taught us much about drones.

dave

Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. Porter 0-4-0T No. 54

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