Author Topic: Cleaning Engines Historically  (Read 108 times)

Dante Lakin

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Cleaning Engines Historically
« on: February 12, 2025, 04:07:23 PM »
Hello all. Historically, what would the procedure have been for cleaning equipment? I've noticed in some images, even our own #9 was kept shiny all around, during the early days on the SRR when covered stations dotted the line.

I've heard that at least in some parts of the world, kerosene/paraffin oil was used, often mixed with oil to keep locomotives clean and sparkly, but is there any documentation about what was used in Maine, on the 2-footers? Would the modern equivalent materials cause active damage to equipment?

I ask because one of my favorite jobs is to wipe down #9, keeping 'er nice and pretty.

Bruce Wilson

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2025, 07:12:46 PM »
Interesting question and I'll tell you that I can't answer it definitively. From my own time at Edaville (and in the Winter) kerosene was used with a little light oil or diesel fuel in later years. I noticed that wiping with diesel looked good initially, but proved to be a dust magnet after a few trips.

Historically, I would speculate that whatever was available might be used. I'm thinking of the lean years in which the various two footers operated. This might include mixtures of various liquids depending on preference.

I have inventory records of what the Bridgton master mechanic (Mel Caswell) kept on the shelves and they were quite well stocked with all manner of paint, lead, lubricants, solvents, etc. I'll dig around in those old papers and see if I can find if anything was designated for the engine crews, as most purchases were assigned to a "department".
Wanted: Copies of correspondence and photographs from "first generation narrow gage railfans" such as Linwood Moody, Dick Andrews, Lawrence Brown, Ellis Atwood, H.T. Crittenden and others. Interested in all two foot (U.S.) rail operations, common carrier, industrial/mill and park/museum.

Bruce Wilson

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2025, 08:02:41 PM »
From a May 31, 1915 Bridgton & Saco River Railroad inventory...

Oils
Engine Oil.          54 gals
Car Oil.                 49  "
Valve Oil.              28  "
Kerosene.             61  "
Signal Oil.             10. "
Wafer Grease.       35lbs
Dixon's Grease.     80lbs
Tallow.                    50lbs

Misc.
Chamois Skins.        8

Paint Stocks (partial list)
Turpentine.             11/2 gals
Linseed Oil.             2 1/2 gals
Gold Leaf.                3 books

There are at least 15 more paint stock entries, including a color for the interior of the Railway Post Office car.

Wanted: Copies of correspondence and photographs from "first generation narrow gage railfans" such as Linwood Moody, Dick Andrews, Lawrence Brown, Ellis Atwood, H.T. Crittenden and others. Interested in all two foot (U.S.) rail operations, common carrier, industrial/mill and park/museum.

Tom Casper

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2025, 07:53:40 AM »
Interesting list I wonder what the difference was between,
Oils
Engine Oil.          54 gals
Car Oil.               49  "
any ideas?

Tom C.
Later:
tom_srclry_com

Graham Buxton

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2025, 09:47:02 AM »
I expect that "Engine oil" could be premium priced product suitable for internal lubrication of cylinders, mixed with steam. More on that here: https://forum.wwfry.org/index.php?topic=1580.0

"Car oil" could be a lower priced product as there was no steam involved in lubricating railcars.
Graham

Benjamin Richards

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2025, 10:06:40 AM »
Car oil is probably for journal boxes.

Graham Buxton

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Re: Cleaning Engines Historically
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2025, 11:15:42 AM »
This TrainOrders  thread from 2006 has a lot of details on high temperature lubricants for steam cylinders:
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?10,1223469

(Trainorders is a 'pay' site, but you can read the first page of threads without a paid membership. The linked thread is only one page.)
Graham