Union Pacific's experiment converting Big Boy #4005 from coal to oil in 1945 was not successful. If U.P. is going to make a similar conversion to #4014 what will they do differently? In 1945 steam locomotive technology was presumably at it's apex and it couldn't be done.
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Been covered here before, but your facts are not correct about the oil experiment way back when. I'll let the experts chime in here as they are more learnered than I about this subject.
I believe they were converted back to oil again in 1950.
PAUL ROMANO posted:Union Pacific's experiment converting Big Boy #4005 from coal to oil in 1945 was not successful.
Not totally correct information. Initially, #4005 experienced lots of leaking & broken staybolts, as a result of misalignment of the burner as well as insufficient fire brick. Once those two issues were corrected, then fine tuning of inlets air for combustion was made. Locomotive 4005 then became a MUCH better performer, and was relatively easy to fire, according to some of the "old heads" I talked with. One man told me that after the 4005 was "sorted out", she was even easier to fire than ANY of the oil fired Challengers!
If U.P. is going to make a similar conversion to #4014 what will they do differently?
Time will tell with the current management & team, NONE of which have ANY experience on a UP articulated steam locomotive.
In 1945 steam locomotive technology was presumably at it's apex and it couldn't be done.
Again, you are NOT correct!!!
J Daddy posted:I believe they were converted back to oil again in 1950.
No. Only one 4000 class locomotive was EVER converted to burn oil, and after about a year, #4005 was returned to coal fuel. The "experiment" with locomotive 4005, once it was all "sorted out", did prove that a 4000 COULD be effectively converted to oil fuel, in the event of a coal miner's strike. However, the down side was; #4005 used such huge quantities of oil fuel, that she had to be refueled enroute when working westbound on Sherman Hill. There was a coal shute on Sherman Hill for refueling 4000s, 3900s, and 9000s, however there was no facility for oil fuel replenishment. The UP was NOT about to make such a huge investment in the necessary steam power plant (required to keep the bunker fuel hot) up on Sherman Hill, for just one, or a small group, locomotive type, i.e. the 4000s.
Thus, #4005 was reconverted back to coal burning.
Converting the 4014 to oil will not be a big deal as it will most likely travel everywhere with a diesel or two to help the fuel mileage.
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