Hello.

This is one of those things that I'm not sure where to start looking for, so I thought I'd start here.

I am in need of a copy of the blueprints/drawings for the Sellers 1922 non-lifting injector, so that some new components can be machined for the one being used in the restoration of an ALCO 2-8-0 in New Jersey.

If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact me off-list at the email above.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

dh

dave@hensarling.org

> Hello.

> This is one of those things that I'm not
> sure where to start looking for, so I
> thought I'd start here.

> I am in need of a copy of the
> blueprints/drawings for the Sellers 1922
> non-lifting injector, so that some new
> components can be machined for the one being
> used in the restoration of an ALCO 2-8-0 in
> New Jersey.

Hmmmm... a certain 1937 Alco 2-8-0 the carries the initials GWSC on the deck plate, perhaps?

Fiv4HghStk@aol.com

I assume you have tried the obvious and contacted Backshop and Strasburg?

dave


irondave@bellsouth.net

Dave,

The Strasburg Rail Road acquired all of the extant Sellers injector blueprints about twenty years ago from the company that succeeded Sellers. We use those blueprints to make our SRC (Sellers) 10.5 KNL non-lifting injectors, our SRC (Sellers) 8.5 N lifting injectors, and parts for any other size or style injector (with a few exceptions).

Since we use these blueprints to earn a living, we must consider them proprietary information, and cannot release them. I would, however be glad to quote a price for any part you might need.

Kelly Anderson
717-687-8421

Strasburg Rail Road

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

> Dave,

> The Strasburg Rail Road acquired all of the
> extant Sellers injector blueprints about
> twenty years ago from the company that
> succeeded Sellers. We use those blueprints
> to make our SRC (Sellers) 10.5 KNL
> non-lifting injectors, our SRC (Sellers) 8.5
> N lifting injectors, and parts for any other
> size or style injector (with a few
> exceptions).

> Since we use these blueprints to earn a
> living, we must consider them proprietary
> information, and cannot release them. I
> would, however be glad to quote a price for
> any part you might need.

> Kelly Anderson
> 717-687-8421

Kelly,

Just out of interest, how much does each new injector go for?


Fiv4HghStk@aol.com

Present pricing for the 10.5 KNL is $8500.00 each, and for the 8.5 N, $11,000.00 each.

The lifting injectors are more expensive due to having more parts (like the built in steam valve, etc), and generally being a more complex design, causing us much more expense in patterns, jigs and special tooling (all needing to be amortized into the price of the few that we will sell in this limited market), as well as more expense in castings per injector. Add in about 150 hours time for our top machinist, and you end up with the number above.

Strasburg Rail Road
kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

Sorry to bud in here but would you mind telling me the difference b/t a lifting ant non-lifting injector?

> Sorry to bud in here but would you mind
> telling me the difference b/t a lifting ant
> non-lifting injector?

Short answer from a trolley dude. A nonlifting injector sits under the cab and is a gravity feed from the tender. A lifting injector is above the bottom of the tender, maybe level with the cab window or so, and has to lift water from the bottom of the tender to its level before it feeds it to the boiler.

Electric City Trolley Museum Association

Phil is right. Each type has its advantages. Non lifting injectors are easier to maintain, and not prone to overheating, since they can be cooled by the tender water to any extent necessary. Lifting injectors are less prone to freezing, especially when mounted inside the cab, and are under more direct observation by the engineer. Smaller engines tended toward lifting injectors, and larger engines toward non-lifting, though it was largely a matter of choice depending on the railroad.

Strasburg Rail Road
kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

> Present pricing for the 10.5 KNL is $8500.00
> each, and for the 8.5 N, $11,000.00 each.

> The lifting injectors are more expensive due
> to having more parts (like the built in
> steam valve, etc), and generally being a
> more complex design, causing us much more
> expense in patterns, jigs and special
> tooling (all needing to be amortized into
> the price of the few that we will sell in
> this limited market), as well as more
> expense in castings per injector. Add in
> about 150 hours time for our top machinist,
> and you end up with the number above.

Kelly,

Thanks for the info, I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. All things considered, I'd say SRC's price sounds pretty reasonable for a new component that can't be gotten any other way...


Fiv4HghStk@aol.com

> how would these prices compare to replacements from the era when these were off the shelf items ?

From the 1928 Sellers catalog;

8.5 N $100

10.5 KNL $130

Their least expensive injector; 3.2 N, $36

Their most expensive injector; 15.8 KNL $265

Strasburg Rail Road
kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

> From the 1928 Sellers catalog;

> 8.5 N $100

> 10.5 KNL $130

> Their least expensive injector; 3.2 N, $36

> Their most expensive injector; 15.8 KNL $265

What would your top machinist's hourly wage have been in 1928? Somehow, I don't think he'd want to preserve that part of the past... LOL... :-)

Fiv4HghStk@aol.com

> From the 1928 Sellers catalog;

> 8.5 N $100

> 10.5 KNL $130

> Their least expensive injector; 3.2 N, $36

> Their most expensive injector; 15.8 KNL $265

Twelve years later, 1940, the average cost of the first four N&W Class "J" 4-8-4 locomotives was $166,917 (602 cost an additional $12,348 because of the booster applied to the rear truck). After you factor in inflation, it looks like you are getting about the same amount of real monetary "value" as they did in 1922.

Ed

> From the 1928 Sellers catalog;

> 8.5 N $100

> 10.5 KNL $130

> Their least expensive injector; 3.2 N, $36

> Their most expensive injector; 15.8 KNL $265 Some time in the late 1960s I bought the last 8.5 n from Sellers I think I paid about $600. for it.bb