Ok, so, a question for the GE 25ton operators on here. Did the mechanical inspection on Saturday on our GE. overall it's pretty good, but we were told that they took an air tank out and replaced it with just a piece of pipe after the tank rotted out. So we know where the tank was and need to know what size tank was there, and what it looked like, etc. Our unit is 1948, so if anyone can provide more info, it would be very much appreciated.

I'd be worried about this cheap fix. With no air storage, once the engine stops or is shut down you have enough air for MAYBE one application. You want to consider a replacement air tank pronto. And make sure it's been hydro tested.

Ummm yeah, kind of aware of that, hence the reason for the post. We don't move much around, and it's not switching and or running constantly. It would likely be fine without it, but we would rather just reinstall another tank. The post is to ask anyone who owns a 25tonner what size tank they have so we can source out a replacement. It's out of service for the winter, so we want to get the new tank installed before spring.

The 2 tanks under our 25 ton with the 14EL brakes are fairly large, I would say something like 12-16 inch diameter and 4 feet long. The brackets and pipe I see there sugguest you have a MUCH smaller tank. Maybe something like this would work?

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx/Air-Brake-Air-Tanks-Reservoirs-H-D-Truck/_/R-MBI19841_0213499246

I am sure there are some others there to pick from.

Stoystown Tank Co in Stoystown, PA can manufacture a new tank for you with all appropriate ASTM/ASME certifications and paperwork. They made a new tank for our Plymouth after the tank failed. Call John Kasnick (814) 893-5133. They would need a sample to copy, or else a diagram with length, diameter and all of the data/dimensions for mounting brackets/holes, and pipe exits and entrances, etc. It took them about a month and cost about $1,000. They make all of the air tanks for current-production GE locomotives, but don't mind doing special ones.

Might be less expensive and less rework if you could find an original tank. PTM has had good luck on parts for our 1953 25 tonner from Western Star Rail Services of Newark, OH. They deal exclusively in parts for GE industrial locos. I'm fairly sure that GE changed the tank size and location on the 25 tonner between your 1948 and ours, so make sure you communicated that to Dennis at WSRS. Give him a call at 740-344-3336 and see what he can do for you. He's been a huge help to PTM.

The main air tank Is located between the 2 axles in the centre. There isn't anything in the manual as to size of the air tanks, so kind of hoping someone else would know. It's likely not as long as the piece of pipe as there has to be space for the fittings. Diameter I would say is 12-16", as I think someone else mentioned. Hopefully we can find a replacement that's not too costly.

What is the brake schedule? It seems to me that both 14-EL and 6-ET make use of a small equalizing reservoir, about 12" dia. and maybe 14" long (guestimate). If the main reservoirs are elsewhere, that sounds like what this is. If this is the case, the size should be in WABCO literature somewhere, or someone who runs 6-ET could give you the size.This MAY not have any effect on the operation of the independent brakes, but I am by no means an expert.

Larry's Truck & Electric in McDonald OH had at least one, and maybe more than one, 25-tonner laying around that was partially parted-out. Probably worth a call. I had photos of it a while back and it was missing everything inside the hood but was cosmetically intact, hard to say about the air system.

First I would follow the pipes and see what that goes to specifically. Grab a 14-EL instruction book (e.g. off the Web) if you need the backgrounder to understand what you are looking at. The reason is, some of those tanks have specific, calculated volumes.

It's easy to lose your mind down there, with fuel, sand, coolant and electrical wires running in pipe (interurbans are festooned with these). I, for one, am not beneath actually painting pipes, particularly to distinguish air pipes from non-air piping. I don't necessarily mean crazy colors, but certainly restoring the original black or galvanized appearance (use "cold galvanizing compound"). From there, some simple lettering. Even if you can't follow that pipe, identifying others lets you eliminate them.

It's entirely possible the previous owner straight-piped it because it was unnecessary for their needs. It is also possible that doing so was a mistake, and that hastened its arrival at a museum. Every museum I've seen has at least one of these failed modernizations.

There is a 14-EL diagram in the commonly available military 25 ton manual.

Also, we have failed to find out, does this use 14L or does it use straight (engine only) brakes. There is one of each at our museum.

The brake system has been upgraded over the years, and is now equipped with train air. 2 more pics, one inside the cab of the new brake stand, and one of the control valves underneath. The reason it was straight piped was because the tank rotted out. Replacing the unit with a new Titan Trackmobile is what led to the decision to scrap the unit. Thankfully an employee had been to our site and contacted us, and the plant manager to see if it could be donated to a museum rather than scrapped. For us, it was a HUGE win!! Yes, it took almost 8months, but I guess good things do come to those who wait!!

Just going by the photos, it looks like you have 26-NL, which is a simple system using a 26 brake stand and a 6 distributing valve, both pictured. There is also an H type relay valve that provides bailoff or actuating, again shown near the distributing valve. I'm assuming you are looking for a main reservoir? The only other reservoir, in the most simple form of this system, is the equalizing reservoir, which should be 220 cubic inches, which is also in the picture, painted black. Hope this helps-

Edited- just took another look at the images and saw the eq reservoir. Still say it's 26-NL, though.

I can get a better pic when i'm out there on the 24th, but you can see the current main air tank (sort of) at the right of the pic.

Ken

If you still have 1 air tank, I think I'd quit worrying about it, for now. Probably won't ever deplete the tank you still have. On ours, both tanks are identical. What I WOULD worry about is maybe closely checking this tank to make sure it's not about to fail!