[modeleng] Re: Accidents, now boilers etc
- From: "alan stepney" <alan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 11 Aug 2006 01:13:56 +0100
There have been VERY few boiler explosions in our size.
I heard of one failure in the 80's, which was due more to stupid handling of
the engine than the boiler's fault.
(Guys carried an engine in steam and managed to tilt it so the firebox was
uncovered. )
From what I have been able to discover, the last time that a model boiler
accident caused injury was 1928.
An excellent record, but one that we shouldnt be complacent about.
They CAN explode, and they do contain sufficient energy to cause harm to
those nearby.
Of course, there is a good chance that YOU may be the one closest to your
engine.
But, with a safe design, and all of those published in the magazines are
checked to ensure they are, and reasonable construction followed by testing
as laid down, they are safe in normal circumstances.
The tests are essential, and shouldnt be skimped, but your club boiler
inspectors will ensure it is done properly.
From then on, the main thing is to ensure that the water level stays above
the bottom nut.
In fact, on full size, that was the prime task for the fireman, chucking
coal on taking second place.
The reason for not using brass in a boiler is that it can suffer
de-zincification, which results in a sponge-like structure, which,
naturally, then can fail very easily.
Apart from that, accidents are very few. The only ones I have ever seen
being due to couplings coming undone.
Accidents involving injuries?
Never seen any, although some years ago one IMLEC competitor did manage to
tip his engine over and fall off the trolley and track.
Alan Stepney
http://www.alanstepney.info
Model Engineering & steam engine information pages
----- Original Message -----
From: <Gmx22@xxxxxxx>
To: <modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 9:54 PM
Subject: [modeleng] Re: Accidents
Thank you all for your help with my spinning question, yes it is harder
than
I thought as you all suggested. On the subject of accidents, I am building
a
simplex, never driven one, never lit a fire in one. yes I am new to this
and
would be glad of a training program of sorts. I can understand people that
have been building / running locos for years been a little miffed at the
thought of having to take a test but is it that dangerous?? Do boilers
explode on
a regular basis? I have just had a telling off for suggesting using brass
for
my inner dome, if i did the world would end or de railments happen tipping
people off onto the floor. this is a topic close to you all by the amount
of
posts you are getting. Im alarmed do i need to join the dangerous sports
society. Oh just a quick one anybody know where i can get pickling solution
from
in the uk? dont think reeves do it anymore, must be far to dangerous
Keith
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