Upgrade to steam....

[mike.perry]

You don't have to start work at 04.00 to light the boiler on a diesel, or have to drop the fire at the end of the day
May all your carbon footprints be big ones.

[StaffsMoggie]

Very true! That said, most of the early diesels also had a boiler fitted........

Any ideas what it was for?

[RogerRust]

Making the tea?

[d_harris]

Sounding the whistle?

[Blaketon]

Heating perhaps?

[bmcecosse]

I've no problem starting at 4am - to light the fire! In fact - it's a pleasure. Nothing quite like getting that burning rag into the firebox - and sitting back for a few minutes watching the flames spread! At least our steam locos will GO if I light their fires - at the moment - none of the wretched diesels will start!

[Blaketon]

Are they kept in an engine shed or outside (Though an engine shed would get pretty cold right now)? Is it the sump oil (Ie Cranking) or the diesel that is causing the problem?

I am down to have a go driving a steam engine this year; probably the 0=6-0 Pannier in my signature picture. I have a little manual to read in the meantime.

[bmcecosse]

Most of the diesels live outdoors - the steam engines are in their shed - and lads turned out to put 'warming fires' in them during the worst of the cold weather. The diesel boys didn't seem to bother............ So - sorry tale of flat batteries - possibly cracked blocks - who knows! I spent an hour pre-start checking the class 27 last monday - and then when I went to start it - it wouldn't turn over - although I don't think the battery was all that flat! It had run the triple pump and bright lights quite cheerfully for several minutes before I tried! Usually a 'flat' battery will at least turn the engine over - just not fast enough to start it!!

[StaffsMoggie]

Heating perhaps?

Yes, the early diesels had a small oil fired boiler on board to suppy steam to heat the passenger coaches which were still steam heated. Those boilers were unreliable things at first and very prone to some interesting faults, like catching light.....

[bmcecosse]

Boiler made by Stone Vapor - they are ok if looked after......... We use one in a van body for pre- heating the carriages for the 'Santa' trains. Strange device - doesn't seem to need any coal........

[StaffsMoggie]

Yes the SV boilers were probably the best ones, it was the Clayton type fitted to the Deltics and 40s that was a pain an the backside, blowing the tubes out on those could get spectacular.