vac_basher Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 It may seem like a silly question, but I was weathering a Class 31 the other day and at a certain point it struck me that they have no fuel tanks! So how did they get the fuel in them and where are the tanks? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClikC Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 I number of Deisel locomotives have the fuel tanks internally, with the tanks between the bogies on the underframe being for water for the boiler for steam heat purposes (some deisels even fitted with scoops to pic up water from troughs between the rails). Fuel filling points are normally on the underframe, but a tank can be placed anywhere within reason. Mostly tank placement was governed by trying balance the weight of the locomotive over both bogies. HTH Regards Matt Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 7, 2012 The fuel tank on the Class 31 is between the bogies and the boiler water tank is internal at the radiator end. Terry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 7, 2012 Some 31s definitely had internal fuel tanks - as I found out one night when we had one on fire and I had just explained to the Fire Brigade that the tanks were, hmm, external Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 7, 2012 Not according to the type 2 bible that is in my personal book collection. Terry. The only internal fuel tank mentioned was for the boiler, as it had it's own fuel tank. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 7, 2012 I shall have to see if I've got a Prep & Disposal guide for them somewhere. I'm only going on what I saw (and was admittedly surprised by at the time). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Richard E Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 7, 2012 From what I have found on line I'd agree with the last post. Also leaks from the header tank in the roof were quite common apparently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold The Stationmaster Posted August 7, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted August 7, 2012 From what I have found on line I'd agree with the last post. Also leaks from the header tank in the roof were quite common apparently. Which, together with the previous post explains why it burnt so well that night (and why it didn't make a much bigger 'pop' when the internal tank got a bit too hot). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
vac_basher Posted August 8, 2012 Author Share Posted August 8, 2012 I number of Deisel locomotives have the fuel tanks internally, The fuel tank on the Class 31 is between the bogies That's a bit contradictory Not being too familiar with the 31s I'm wondering if it's possible some had external tanks while others had internal ones. It was 31247 that started all this for me. To me the "tanks" on that one look more like battery boxs. It's funny because I'd always assumed that all locomotives had them between the bogies, as they were on Classes 47, 50, 55, etc. It would seem logical to place them there as it would keep the center of gravity low. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Phil Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 Check out page 11 of this document for the answer http://www.scribd.co...rksworth-Part-1 Although it is a refurbished class 31, then tank will almost certainly have been there from the construction of the original loco. As mentioned before a number of BR diesels had their boiler water tanks converted for extra fuel capacity, and there were TOPS codes to indicate this. "FA" "FB" and "FC"referred to how much extra fuel capacity was available, but I cannot remember which code represented which loco now. Whilst on this subject I think it was 31178 that was modified to carry extra fuel, and I believe 31461 which has recently been in the news as returning to the mainline, was also planned to carry extra fuel. HTH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernman46 Posted August 8, 2012 Share Posted August 8, 2012 War story whilst involved in the initial stages of 31174's demise by fire at Crayford Creek (nr Dartford) some years ago - we were acutely aware of the large underslung fuel tanks between the bogies and the gauge needle registering 600+ gallons and wondering whether to carry on spraying fire extinguishers was a sensible idea or just stand back and let her burn................ as it happened we stayed but eventually even the fire bridge couldn't save her. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Classsix T Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 That's a bit contradictory Not being too familiar with the 31s I'm wondering if it's possible some had external tanks while others had internal ones. It was 31247 that started all this for me. To me the "tanks" on that one look more like battery boxs. It's funny because I'd always assumed that all locomotives had them between the bogies, as they were on Classes 47, 50, 55, etc. It would seem logical to place them there as it would keep the center of gravity low. On Cl.56 (amongst others) the fuel tank is situated on the centreline of the loco, between bogies, battery boxes and compressors. The gauge can be a PITA to read! C6T. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb900f Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 I think I am right in thinking that Brush 4s (Class 47s) originally only had 2 fuel tanks. Situated in the boiler and radiator compartments. IIRC only the boiler tank had a gauge. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted August 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 9, 2012 I think I am right in thinking that Brush 4s (Class 47s) originally only had 2 fuel tanks. Situated in the boiler and radiator compartments. IIRC only the boiler tank had a gauge. Pete That is correct, there was 2 fuel tanks in the type 4 (Class 47) and each tank has it's own fuel gauge, but the main gauge was situated at number 1 end on the sole bar. Terry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb900f Posted August 9, 2012 Share Posted August 9, 2012 Terry, I don't remember the gauge on the sole bar. Was it removed during works visits ? Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Trainshed Terry Posted August 9, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted August 9, 2012 Terry, I don't remember the gauge on the sole bar. Was it removed during works visits ? Pete They could have been, but the in my book collection I have 2 Operating manuals which covered the following locomotives D1500 - D1519 and the other one covered D1520 - D1861. These are early manuals when the locos entered service. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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