Garden Railway Forum

Questions about the WD Baldwin - I've got one of the last ones (on this side of the pond) coming, and was wondering what that trough like device was, mounted high up on the rear of the coal bunker?

Also, what was the large pipe coming out of the top of the left side water tank and running back under the cab for?

I really like tank type locomotives, and the WD Baldwin has an interesting wheel arrangement with it's 4 wheel lead truck. She will become the heavy hauler for the coal side of my Montezuma Coal & Lumber Rwy.

Thanks for any info!

jabsteam:69760 wrote:Questions about the WD Baldwin - I've got one of the last ones (on this side of the pond) coming, and was wondering what that trough like device was, mounted high up on the rear of the coal bunker?

Also, what was the large pipe coming out of the top of the left side water tank and running back under the cab for?

These engines were built to work behind the front line in WW1, various fittings were fitted to ease certain front line conditions.

One of these was the ability to "Suck" water from shell craters, etc... for use by the engine. This was achieved with the use of an ejector which would suck water up a pipe then feed it into the tank by way of the pipework at the top/back of the left tank. The locos carried a long 2" hose for this job which was coiled over the "Trough" on the back of the bunker.

I've a couple of really good photos of these, must look them out for you.

Ahhh, thank you Andrew!
That all makes sense... although I can imagine what muddy shell hole water would do to a boiler!

jabsteam:69771 wrote:Ahhh, thank you Andrew!
That all makes sense...  although I can imagine what muddy shell hole water would do to a boiler!

Remember that these engines were built to have a working life of months, not years.

Been catching up on the history of these WD engines, and found this video. There are others listed on the video sidebar. Interesting how these little railroads and engines were built and run. A couple of views showed the hose for sucking up water riding on that rear shelf.
Some interesting open railcar loads to model too. Not including great quantities of men...  LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3s01i3a ... AAAAAAAAAg

Awesome video, thanks for posting that up