Looking for a known good source for new, drilled, weld-fabricated ASME locomotive air reservoirs. Twenty years ago, we used Stoystown Tank in Pennsylvania; they seem to have vanished. Does anyone have a code fabricator that they've used recently (and would recommend)?

I know, "do a web search", but I'm looking for a company that will know what a "drilled reservoir" is.

Thanks

Howard P.

Stoystown was the first to come to mind; we purchased a set of drilled air reservoirs from them several years ago. Their last Facebook post was in November 2020, with no signs of trouble. Website is still up, too: https://www.stoystowntank.com/ Are they non-responsive?

Thanks for the link. For some reason, I could not find them online.

Howard P.

Good morning Howard.
Please give me a call at #717-314-1519 when you have the opportunity or you may email the details to me at ted.wickert@strasburgrailroad.com.
This is an item we (Strasburg Rail Road) can assist you with.

Try Wabtec.

I ordered a pair about 5 years ago and the cost was about the same as the local suspects.

Bonus: didn't have to explain the reasons for telltails, and they could be ordered by the original part #.

I'm getting ready to have a new set of air reservoirs made for a GE 45 ton locomotive. One question that has come up: Is there an industry standard regarding interior coatings for locomotive air reservoirs? I could see the benefit of an epoxy coating for rust prevention. I could also imagine issues if the coating starts to break down and flake off. For those who have gone down this road before: What have you done?

Many thanks in advance!

Friendly reminder-drilled reservoirs are required to be built to a factor of safety of 5 per
§ 229.31 Main reservoir tests.

(c) Each welded main reservoir originally constructed to withstand at least five times the maximum working pressure fixed by the chief mechanical officer may be drilled over its entire surface with telltale holes that are three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. The holes shall be spaced not more than 12 inches apart, measured both longitudinally and circumferentially, and drilled from the outer surface to an extreme depth determined by the formula—

D = (.6PR/S-0.6P)

Where:

D = extreme depth of telltale holes in inches but in no case less than one-sixteenth inch;

P = certified working pressure in pounds per square inch;

S = one-fifth of the minimum specified tensile strength of the material in pounds per square inch; and

R = inside radius of the reservoir in inches.

One row of holes shall be drilled lengthwise of the reservoir on a line intersecting the drain opening. A reservoir so drilled does not have to meet the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, except the requirement for a pneumatic or hydrostatic test before it is placed in use. Whenever any such telltale hole shall have penetrated the interior of any reservoir, the reservoir shall be permanently withdrawn from service. A reservoir now in use may be drilled in lieu of the tests provided for by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, but shall receive a hydrostatic test before it is returned to use or may receive a pneumatic test if conducted by the manufacturer in an appropriately safe environment.

Personally I wouldn't coat the insides. Having dealt with lined air reservoirs in the Navy, once that lining starts to break down and enter piping, it's time to also replumb the system. We could blast enough air/hammer pipes to break up rust flakes, lining flakes just dam up. Also any tiny crack in the liner allows moisture to be trapped between the lining and tank wall, never to be drained or even dry out, speeding up the failure of the lining and the tank wall.

My 2 cents for what they are worth.

Howard: I have done inspection work for a variety of transit agencies at Vineland Manufacturing, in Vineland, Ontario. It's about half-way between St. Catherine's and Hamilton, Ontario on the shores of Lake Ontario. Anyway, they were doing work for both New York Airbrake and Wabco. They speak AAR and fully understand drilled reservoirs.

https://vinelandmfg.com

George Payne
Retired

Thanks for the insight, Adam!