Steam Heat in the Diesel Era

I was discussing steam heat with my oldest son yesterday.

I can remember the early 80's when many diesel hauled trains were still steam heated, but what I don't remember was ever seen a diesel loco being 'watered'

When was this done, and how often did it have to be done? I know that water troughs were retained after 1968 as some diesels were fitted with water scoops but when did this stop - do any pictures exist?

 

I've seen one or two shots similar to this one..

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=c...AUICCgC&biw=1024&bih=768#imgrc=wp7sQaHKtNE6xM:

but cant help with the general question of watering other than to assume their tanks would be filled by hose at depot or perhaps at major stations?

 

If memory serves me right, the 23:10 Newcastle service out of Kings Cross in/around 1984 was frequently hauled by a steam-heat 'Peak' (I used to catch it from time to time). I know they had hoses all along the platform to top up the tanks on HST carriages and wondered if it was also done at the platform for the loco? Never really looked, sadly.

I don't know why, but in my spotting days seeing a steam-heat train pass gently leaking from its hoses on a bitterly cold night was quite comforting.

 

So most likely, the locos for the service I described were probably fed and watered at FP before moving down to the Cross to take their train?

 

Deltics had/have water scoops fitted. air operated if I recall correctly. Due to the high speed impact on contacting the water at troughs it was a weekly job to straighten the mouths to the correct profile.

 

I asked a similar question to the OP a few years ago. Someone then posted photos of a class 40 taking water from a trough.

 

40064 at Perth (not my photo)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/phild...Bnd-fbcpVU-dZB9EN-fC9n4R-vAS8Hy-dDQokL-avAmzj

 

When were troughs last used?

 

Anyone know how the early AC electrics heated trains, surely they predated the use of ETH ?

 

No idea as to location and no idea as to name of photographer.

 

That's very true. Somewhere on the net I saw a picture of one of the original 10 'Peaks' being filled up with the water column bag at the south end of P4 @ Lancaster (Castle) station in the early 60's. Tried to find it for the thread, but have failed miserably!

 

There were a number of bogie vans fitted with steam heat boilers and water tanks that were used on the AC electrified lines prior to the introduction of ETH fitted coaches. One survivor used to be at the NYMR. Not sure if it is still there.

 

Thanks , to be honest until the question above I'd never even thought about it.

Scott

 

I always said you could tell the difference between ETH and steam heated compo's because if you fell asleep in a steam heated one you never woke up with a dry mouth whereas it always felt like a dry pit if it was electric heat, and lets not forget we are lucky enough to still have a couple of steam heat locos about to enjoy

 

I saw class 47s take water on the up main platform at Reading, which is a bit bizarre so close to London. For those that don't know , there was a circular hatch in the bodyside through which the water column bag was placed.

 

The first time I visited the GWSR for a diesel gala and saw 47105 pulling in to Winchcombe with steam coming out the roof was bizarre. Apart from 47105 is there any other diesel locos with an operational steam boiler.

Cheers

 

40106 (subject to insurance test this week) should run and steam this weekend at East Lancs.