Tank linings

Now we all know water rusts metal and loco boilers were given wash outs to prevent the build up of scale etc. Were the insides of tenders & tanks treated or coated in a substance to prevent the water rotting the metal from the inside?
Now the preservation movement is capable of much more than was ever thought, when locos are rebuilt, do preservationists apply anything that was not around in BR days? I was thinking of perhaps a thin fibre glass case inside the existing water tank.

 

The Talyllyn certainly lined the saddletanks on their locos with fibreglass back in the 1960's and whilst I was involved it always seemed to be successful. That was a long time ago, mind you! I don't know whether they are still lined that way. We've lined one saddletank similarly at Middleton and that, too has so far been a success. Not the most pleasant thing to do, though!

 

There is/was paint called 'Apexior' that came as two types, one a graphite type material was for hot/wet surfaces (including steam/water surfaces inside boilers. The other, a gloss black was for hot dry and cold wet surfaces. I have used this in the past inside a steam waggon water tank, but it is essential to kill off any steel corrosion before applying. 'Apexior' used to be, maybe still is, made by British Paints Ltd. The two varieties were No. 1 and No.3, but can't recall now which was which.

I feel that unless any steel corrosion is halted, the application of anything else on it is a waste of time.

 

I guess the problem with epoxy, is that it will eventually rot, even if it's from the outside.
When it does, you then have the problem of getting rid of the epoxy to effect welded repairs.

If anything, I'd suggest a nitrile or neoprene fitted bag. Something similar to racing car fuel tanks, or as they call them fuel cell bladders.

These are nothing to do with electrical fuel cells.

AFAIK, they just used red oxide paint.

 

At Bodmin we have had several saddle tanks made from stainless steel. Only on the little engines, the small industrials, Alfred and Judy, because the tanks are far too small for anybody to get into paint a lining layer.

 

Also, I dont like getting in tanks anymore after my near miss. I was leaning into the tank on a GWR tank and dropped the spanner, I could see it so I reached in to get it, I couldnt quite reach so I squeezed in a little further! Got the spanner but then realised I was stuck fast around the waist in the filler neck. Vertical, head straight down, legs waving around in the air. Luckily two colleagues were close at hand and saw and heard my predicament and came to my aid. They grabbed a leg each and pulled me out. After much laughter and ribbing I recognised quite how stupid I was!!

 

We used Bitumen and It'll be re-painted every year or so.It was also painted inside the bunker and as it never fully dries, it doesn't chip off when coal is dropped in, or crack as the panniers flex.