Tank detail

[GWRdriver]

I have a question about tank filler hatches. On a small dock shunter, such as a TICH might represent, would the side tank filler hatches tended to have hinged lids or simple plug lids or caps? Or would they have had hatches on the tank tops at all? I realize there would have been no hard and fast rule, but perhaps there was a tendency, and that's what I'm intersted in.

[Phil Sutton]

I think it would be fair to say that all tank filler lids were hinged,with various forms of clips to hold them down ,to stop foreign bodies getting in.You wouldn't want to be lifting a filler cap straight off,they are quite a big chunk of steel! ;D

Phil

[paul]

Harry, you could look at the various examples here...

www.stationroadsteam.co.uk/archive.htm

There seems to be a real variety!

[spurley]

Hi Harry

I have experience of quite a few full sized engines and the only common thing is that the water tanks/tenders do have filler lids. Lids were necessary to avoid the entry of unwanted matter, could be leaves etc. They also serve to keep the water in the tanks! When shunting the water tends to surge during sudden stops or when the wagons etc 'snatch' the engine. The water can slosh out and, given the design of these type of engine, the crew could get wet or the water could wash onto motion parts.

Fillers come in all shapes and sizes and several do have lift out lid types; Baxter and the North London tank being two examples. Other 'industrial' types are similar, the Austerity 0-6-0 tanks are another. I have only seen extended (round the hand pump handle) types on foreign locomotives, the German tank at Carnforth in the 70's for example. These double up as access holes for internal work when necessary; plumbing or filter maintenance. Most British engines have round or oval fillers between 12" and 18" sized with a lid, access to the tank then is through a dedicated manhole which is normally removed only by maintenance staff.

Cheers

Brian

[GWRdriver]

Thanks for the responses and pointers, although I don't have the time at present to look through the entire Station Road archive! I'm working on a pair of hatches which seem to my eye to be about right and I'll post pics when I'm done.