Plumbing Through Smokebox

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gregudolph
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Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:43 pm

Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by gregudolph »

All,
I’m working on plumbing up a steam pump and I’d like to plumb the exhaust through the smokebox and out the stack. Looking for ideas of how others plumbed through the wall of the smokebox.
Thanks!
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cbrew
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by cbrew »

machine up a bulk head fitting. OD with 5/16-27 thread. ID 1/4-40 on the outside and inside.
basically a long reducer with ID threads on both ends.
If it is not live steam. its not worth it.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Bill Shields »

Same idea but as a 90 degree elbow.

Attach a long piece of 3/16 tube to the inside and bend to suit.

Another way to do it is to put the pump exhaust directly into the manual blower line.

Each has advantages (cosmetically) and disadvantages (back pressure) and complexity.

90% of the time I just run a short line from the pump up the side of the outside of the smoke box and terminate near the top of the stack...or just dump outer the side and the heck with it.
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Soot n' Cinders
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

I just drilled a hole a stuck a nipple through with some high temp loctite. Could also caulk it in with a chisel or punch too.
-Tristan

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Steve Goodbody
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Steve Goodbody »

Hi Greg,

Here are a couple of pictures of a 90 degree smokebox fitting and setup that may be of help.

On the inside of the smokebox, the fitting consists of a male thread which pokes through the hole in the smokebox and then a washer and nut to clamp the fitting to the smokebox wall and make the seal. That same male thread continues further inside, as it is also provides the thread for the compression union at the end of the fitting for attaching the internal pipe.

Make the male threaded portion as long as you need to bring the internal pipe union to a place where you can get a wrench on it to assemble.
Smokebox Union 2 Small.jpg
P1011089.JPG
P1011093.JPG
Best regards
Steve
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cbrew
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by cbrew »

I have used both methods (fitting as i described above and a slip fitting pipe) both methods work
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Glenn Brooks
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Some prototype locomotives had a small, separate exhaust nozzle fitted immediately behind the stack, on top of the smoke box. You’ll see a separate smaller trail of exhaust behind the main, firebox exhaust. I suspect the separate exhaust was done to not interfere with the draft through the smokebox, or vice versa..., or maybe make routine maintenance easier,,,

Glenn
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Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

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Bill Shields
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Bill Shields »

Yes to all...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Bill Shields »

Actually...Bob Thomas (B&O Bob) just made me giggle by jogging my currently addled brain:

Has anyone looked up the definition of 'plumbing' ??? (other than after my occasional reminding posters to do so?)

In the strictest definition of 'plumbing through smokebox' -> it would be a smelly affair indeed.... :lol:
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
gregudolph
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by gregudolph »

Thanks for the suggestions, all. I think I have some direction now.
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makinsmoke
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by makinsmoke »

I seem to recall you making that distinction more than once, Mr. Bill!
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Fender
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Re: Plumbing Through Smokebox

Post by Fender »

Glenn Brooks wrote: Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:47 am Some prototype locomotives had a small, separate exhaust nozzle fitted immediately behind the stack, on top of the smoke box. You’ll see a separate smaller trail of exhaust behind the main, firebox exhaust. I suspect the separate exhaust was done to not interfere with the draft through the smokebox, or vice versa..., or maybe make routine maintenance easier,,,

Glenn
Usually, the separate exhaust was used on oil-burning locomotives, for the reason you mention. Coal-burning locos generally exhausted the pump through the cylinder exhaust port.
Dan Watson
Chattanooga, TN
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