I have searched old posts to collect information on oil fire conversions. Some of the old threads have broken links.

Are there any guides or reports on oil conversions? Any documentation on the various examples in the last few years?

We are actively evaluating oil conversion due to the increasing frequency of drought and fire prohibition in Denmark.

There are a lot of RyPNers with oil firing experience (including yours truly), and most of us are happy to help you. Maybe a little information about which engine you want to convert would help to start a discussion focused on your specific situation.

Personally I learned the typical American setup on the job. I believe that the old ICS textbooks had a volume on this subject, and I know that the CB&Q (and many other big US railroads) at one time had small manuals which were issued to enginemen.

There are a number of other oil firing systems besides the one I am familiar with, which may be better for your purposes. If I were living in the part of the world that you do, I'd ask Winturthur and Meiningen for proposals specific to your power.

One thing I should tell you up front is that firing with oil does NOT mean you can't have fires because of the train !!! You have to be very careful not to drip any burning oil on the track when running, or to let it pool under the engine when firing up or standing.

This one

An interior view of the firebox would be helpful.

Steven -

Neat looking engine. Was the American type (4-4-0) common in Denmark?

Les

Stockton Locomotive Works has provided burners and other hardware for several conversions in the last few years. I believe there are some images of their hardware on various Facebook pages. I know they were involved in the successful conversion of Everett 2-6-0 number 11.

During your consideration for refueling. I would look at using bio diesel or consider a gas firing system, like recovered methane or propane. Considering your European location it may behoove you. My experience with oil fired was large amounts of smoke at time that has poor optics in this era. At least if the smoke smells like french fries it may boost concession sales.

Yes, it was standard up until the first world war.

It is a standard locomotive boiler, superheated, with arch.

Gas is discussed on a number of the threads I searched. Limited range is a problem. We would want to fuel up at the workshop and not touch it again until return at day's end. Also, we would prefer a solution that makes the least changes to the fabric. An oil tank can just sit in the coal space. Presumably oil firing should not generate smoke - I have never seen it at the many locations I have visited with oil firing.

Both the Durango & Silverton and the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic have converted locomotives in each fleet from coal to oil.

I recall reading on the Narrow Gauge Discussion Forum about some firebox conversions required due to the change of fuel.

A lot has been written on the message boards, but a formal report is really needed for planning purposes.

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The reason I asked for a picture of the firebox interior is so I can see the proportions. Some type fireboxes are better, or worse, for oil firing, and some engines even do better on coal. I won't comment further without seeing the specifics of your locomotive.

Properly setup, and properly fired, oil burning locomotives make very little smoke. Trust me on this, I've done it for a living.

The standard setup, including the VanBoden type burner, as most often used by American locomotive builders can handle anything from asphalt to straight diesel with no modifications at all. It is equally suited to raw, refined, or recycled fuels. The design is pure genius because of it's reliability, simplicity, versatility, and efficiency. I personally prefer firing with refined oil, but it certainly makes better sense environmentally to use recycled oil.

With no disrespect intended toward the gentleman who suggested gas firing, I will say that it's a very bad idea for full size locomotives, and most experienced oil firemen are scared of it. All it takes is a pinhole and a spark to cause an explosion. I have also observed a warped crown sheet caused by pointing a propane burner straight up, although that burner placement would probably be a dead ass loser with liquid fuel as well. There have been a limited number of gas firing conversions that have yet to result in the end of the world...

For a European locomotive, it makes sense to consider using a European type setup, comparing proposals from the two builders I suggested with an American one if desired. No doubt companies in the EU are going to be a lot more familiar with your locomotive, and any hardware they supply will be compatible with your threading system and standard pipefitting practices in Denmark. They also have decades of experience with hundreds of locomotives, a plus I would think.

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