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5th September 2014, 08:19 AM #1Mechanical Butcher
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- Oct 2004
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- Southern Highlands NSW
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- 911
Why don't old steam engines rust?
Anorak Bob's recent posted photos of an old steam engine in Zagreb reminded me of something that puzzles.
I've seen large, ancient steam engines, sometimes still going. They have impressively large rods, links and other ferrous parts.
But, they are in beautiful, rust-free condition, often with a lovely satin like finish. Why is that?
You'd think that being old and primitive they'd be all be rotten.
Some guesses:
They are under cover, meticulously maintained and constantly cleaned.
There is always a lot of oil about, protecting the surfaces.
The parts aren't steel, but wrought iron - not so liable to rust.
They would be rusty, but have been restored.
I'm talking about the engines, not boilers which are clearly rust prone.
Jordan
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5th September 2014, 08:57 AM #2SENIOR MEMBER
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- Jun 2011
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- Australia east coast
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5th September 2014, 10:13 AM #3Mechanical Butcher
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
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- 911
I doubt the parts in question are made of cast iron.
Jordan
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5th September 2014, 10:58 AM #4Senior Member
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- Mar 2009
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- Melbourne
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G'day Jordan,
I suspect the constant maintenance and cleaning carried out on a working steam engine is the main factor.
An abandoned steam engine will rust the same as any other piece of machinery but as 600W steam cylinder oil is one of the best rust inhibitors there is the deterioration may be slower.
Cheers,
Greg.
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5th September 2014, 04:02 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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- Sep 2011
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Hi Jordan,
At the end if each run the engines are wiped down with an oily rag. The engine was always a reflection of the drivers standards.
We have restored many engines that were filthy and covered with dirt which has been it's saving grace. Dirt and oil is actually a great mix. Hot steam oil is fantastic as a preservative.
Some engines though have been wiped clean of oil and stuck outside which means a lot of elbow grease to make them shine again.
Phil
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5th September 2014, 04:46 PM #6Cba
- Join Date
- Aug 2007
- Location
- Melbourne
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- 69
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- 1,417
Who says they do nor rust?
alte_rostige_dampflokomotive.jpg
The ones in museums are regularly looked after.... think just of polishing off all these kids fingerprints...
Old steam locos still in service are very high maintenance, certainly when compared to elctric locos.
There are brand new steam engines though, manufactured today with modern materials and technologies. Made for mountain railways and narrow gauge etc, turists just love steam locos:
http://www.trainweb.org/tusp/slm.html
This is the Swiss company DLM, manufacturing new full size steam engines:
http://www.dlm-ag.ch/en/modern-steam
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5th September 2014, 09:29 PM #7Mechanical Butcher
- Join Date
- Oct 2004
- Location
- Southern Highlands NSW
- Posts
- 911
That's not a great photo of the actual "engine" parts. The whole locomotive looks nice and weathered though.
I visited the old Goulburn pumphouse earlier this year. Took some photos, can't find them.
The large stationery steam engines are still going for the tourists' entertainment.
The working parts look like they could have been made in the last decade, not 1886.
Not a speck of rust to be seen on the crank rods, which are unpainted.
Maintenance and cleaning must have been challenging, as it was a 24/7 operation when it was pumping water for the town.
Jordan