The record-union., 1896-08-23


most common appliances, for instance
that of the hoist or derrick for LOADING
engines with buckets of coal, originally
in the form of a windlass worked by
hand power, was first transformed by
the addition of a steam boiler and water
force pump, which was worked by water
power with the aid of lift cylinder and
cable. That mode gave way to the use
OF steam power direct, which in time
was abandoned in favor of compressed
air furnished from the main engine
room where steam is generated largely
from refuse fuel coming from the plan
ing mill.
The pipe shop is an auxiliary or annex
to the machine shop, and follows along
with the general line of permanent i'm
provements, so largely inaugurated in
the last few years and has assisted in
the construction of the elaborate sys-
TEN of hydraulics for handling the
cranes in foundry, machine shop, boiler
shop and rolling mills, as those hives of
industry have sprung into existence and
usefulness By a system of hydraulics
is meant the distribution of power by
water under a great pressure, to num-
Der of cranes or presses, for lifting or
forcing weight, which are usually group
ed. so that the water after having been
used can be returned to the tank whence
it came The outfit usually consists of
q high pressure pump and an accumula-
tor or ram weighted to the desired
amount required for the purpose for
which it is applied. This pressure varies
in the different systems from 200 to
900 pounds to the square inch The
pipes connecting the several machines
complete the outfit.
The pumps are governed automatic
ally by levers attached to the steam
throttle valve and ram, so that person
at a distance, using power in crane,
has no concern about the source of sup
ply, the pumps seemingly managing
that part of the business on their own
account.
Leather pressed in moulds is chiefly
used in packing in the pistons, followers
and cylinders.
The pipe department is closely allied
with the fire brigade under the super
vision of the Master Mechanic, T. w.
HeintzeIman, it's chief, and his five as
sistants, and it is held responsible for
the condition of the water mains, fire
plugs and other paraphernalia necessary
for the prompt action Of that efficient
branch of the railroad service. The
fire brigade consists of a foreman and
pump attendants and eight men as
signed to each hose cart, which, are five
in number, each carrying 800 feet Of
hose. Every switch engine is fully
equipped with the most modern appli-
ances for extinguishing fire, and have
shown their efficiency on many occa-
sions.
Those members who responded for
duty. at the last fire, were presented
With half a days pay for their prompt
ness. also feel highly elated, at having
individually received a complimentary
letter from H. j. Small, Superintendent
Of Motive Power, at the request of the
General Manager.
Steam fitting is another branch of this
class of workmen. The several lines Of
r.ipe connecting the % stationary
boilers, which are located in batteries,
OF singly, being governed by their re-
cuirements. Fourteen of these, repre-
senting soc horse power, are heated by
fuel directly applied. and twelve others,
representing 800 horse power, are heated
ty bloomer furnace fires in the rolling
mill
a
1 steam pipes. are covered with some heat
retaining or non-conducting substances.
Formerly wood was almost exclusively
iced for tagging, but as il burnt out in
comparatively short time, the wood
Il is superseded by asbestos, mixed with
eariOus substances; later this was
caanged to slabs or blocks Of magnesia
aad asbestos combined. Since the first
/ II the present year a new kind of ma
.orial has been adopted. known as anti
/ csIoric covering, which is California
product It is composed Of fossil meal
/ and tule fibre. and is one of the best
/ krovn conductors now in use. 1t Is
! applied to the boilers IN kind of plas-
/ r r in coats of uniform thickness. This
ia, vering prevents loss of steam by radi-
Iatton or condensation, and consequently
a direct saving of fuel as well as the
cost of the frequent renewals. This
work also falls to the men Of the pipe
department.
! Economy int the use of steam is very
/ Important factor. A pound of pure car
bou when burned yields 14,500 heat
units. which is equal to us foot pounds
/ af energy. If all it's heat was untitled in
power it would therefore exert 512 horse
newer for one hour, instead Of y to II,
rs is the best ordinary practice in heat
engines to-day. Thus one can see the
| necessity OF endeavoring 10 protect and
save heat and steam when generated.
from the action OF cold, its seeming an
! tagonist
The piper, from the force of circum-
| stances. is ever in touch with other
branches of railroad service. The con-
veyance and transmission of power and
energy. whether it be in the form OF
steam, water or gas. from obvious
reasons. occasionally has its brief inter-
| ruptions. and the duty of the piper,
I plumber or steam filter. is to make those
| Interruptions for repairs as brief as pos
sible. and restore those links or lines
| at distribution of power between the
source where it is generated, and the
point Of It's final distribution. and TO
preserve those harmonious relations be-
| tween supply and demand Of power. by
steam or other agents so essential TO
success in any great enterprise.
Among the many important undertak-
ings other than the usual routine duties
Of The shop. and the repairs and changes
being made TO conform to the general
standard of work on locomotives re-
| Gently adopted by the Southern Pacific
Company. the employees of this depart
| ment were called upon TO assist in
| putting in the pumping and hoistins
| works used in excavating the San Fer
| nando tunnel in 1919; also the pipe
Wcrls on the mammoth steamer Solano.
and the hydraulic system in connection
With the aprons in the slips at Benicia