Has anyone ever put new copper gaskets on Huron style washout plugs. If so email me, I'd like to hear about it.

robert@trainorders.com

We do all the time. In fact, we just made some new Huron's for the 610 and applied new gaskets. Call the Doctor (George Walker) at our shop for details.

Mark G. Ray - TVGRM

TVRM Shop Updates by Steve Freer
aw90h@cs.com

The Pere Marquette 1225 crew has been getting good results with copper gaskets added between the Huron plug and the steel seat. These are cut out of about 1/16" sheet copper and form themselves into a conical shape when the plug is turned down. These have sealed up some plugs that we had trouble getting to seat by refinishing the conical seat in the boiler and the spherical seat on the plug. The gaskets are a one-time-use item, but we have them cut out quite cheaply by an automated machine using a jet of water as a cutting tool.

Aarne Frobom
The Steam Railroading Institute
P. O. Box 665
Owosso, MI 48867-0665


froboma@mdot.state.mi.us

I know there are at least three different styles of wash out plugs that were most common. Are Hurons the most common style with the square thread on the plug and socket and just screwed in and tapped down tight with the seat on the outside edge of the socket ?

Rich Young0

I do not know if this is the most common style, there are a few that look just like Hurons. Prime are somewhat the same in appearance. If there is a difference in the square thread (acme thread i believe) plugs it would be in the way the copper is pressed or rolled onto the plug. Some companies had their own style of washout plugs. Check in the Locomotive Cyclopedia and you can see the different types.

robert@trainorders.com

Rich,

These are the type that are sometimes used for circulator washout plugs.... and sometimes the seats should have been cleaned up a little.... and sometimes they leak a little late at night when you are firing up.

> I know there are at least three different
> styles of wash out plugs that were most
> common. Are Hurons the most common style
> with the square thread on the plug and
> socket and just screwed in and tapped down
> tight with the seat on the outside edge of
> the socket ?

> Rich Young0

A recent article in TRAINLINE had a piece on washout plugs and things to inspect them for any time they are removed for any reason.

Things such as small cracks at the base of the threads, which can eventually result in portions of the thread breaking off under pressure. Signs of cross threading, which can result in the same thing.

Good reading for steam operators.

Rob

Yep , exactly like them. I didn't know they were called Huron Style. Hurons sound like something you would find on maybe a Canadian engine , Eh'. You know back in the day ,they used to have this great tool that you could screw in tight into the socket with a cutter that rotated freely and you turned it to reprofile the seat. But sometimes even then the gasket is nicked up enough you still don't get good contact across the face of the surface and gasket replacement is neccessary , that what I'm curious about how thats done. It's all in the condition of what you start with that determines the outcome. And sometimes, when it's late at night and you've just fired up ,above the drum of the fire ,the slight hiss of your leaking plug and your own profane expletives, you can hear the Washout Plug Fairies laghing at you.

Rich A Youngs

Rich,

I'd love to provide more info about those pesky Washout Plug Fairies (kinda sounds like another item you would find on a Canadian engine, eh?), but of course you realize that is all strictly proprietary.

Rob

I checked my circulars and I don't have an update from the Committee of Propietary Information that in includes that subject on the list. Can you put me in touch with the committee chairman?

Richl

ryoungceo@yahoo.com

Rich

Our committee people will be in touch with your committee people.

An updated "Circular Pertaining to Proprietary Information" will be included with your annual Team Hot Water membership renewal packet.