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'Weatherproof' locomotive tenders.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 12:43 pm
by Nimbus
I've been looking at photographs of ex-LMS locomotives in the Highlands, some of which have what are described as being 'weatherproof' tenders. These have built-up sides and a sliding roof over the coal bunker. Did the LNER have these as well - or were they a BR-era invention? And apart from stopping coal from blowing away, or freezing solid in snow and ice, did they also stop the tender water from freezing in some way?

Re: 'Weatherproof' locomotive tenders.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 5:42 pm
by Hatfield Shed
No idea of the date of introduction of the snow covers for bunkers on some LMS/ex LMS classes, and I do not recall any LNER or ex-LNER tender being so fitted. I thought it was only a few 4Fs allocated to the Settle and Carlisle route that had this feature, primarily for snow plough duties, shows the depth of my ignorance!

This provision would do nothing to prevent the water tank freezing, as the tank is a simple unlagged steel sheet construction. As long as one loco is in steam this wasn't too much of a problem, out with the steam lances...

Re: 'Weatherproof' locomotive tenders.

Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2018 6:34 pm
by drmditch
I think there was a scheme in the initial design of the A4s to provide a sliding cover for the 'streamlined' tender, but it was abandoned as being impractical.