Again I want to thank you all for your responses.

When you perform a hydro test on a loco boiler, does a person actually get inside the firebox?
And does he just look for leaks or does he hammer?

thanks
I hope Im not overdoing it with the questions.
Alan

adofmsu@aol.com

I once witnessed an new inspector poking around in a stationary firebox with a chipping hammer while it was under hydro pressure of 150psi. He thought he saw a seep in the end of a tube, so with a mighty whack he managed to make a hole in it...he also half drowned himself in the process.

It was almost worth the time and expense of changing out those tubes just to see the look on his face as he crawled out of there.

The hydro test should be done "first time" on a naked boiler with all external areas such as firebox and smokebox accessable. Some hammer testing may be done on areas of concern or all over on general principle depending on your preferences.

It is common to hydro test unstripped boilers at annual inspections jacketed but firebox and smokebox should be opened and examined carefully, and all staybolt holes mechanically opened.

Piping and air reserviors get hydroed and hammered frequently too.

Dave

irondave@bellsouth.net