D&RGW K-28 COAL FIRED MANUAL
8
Distilled water that has been ‘DEIONIZED” is extremely active electrically and should NEVER be used in your
boiler. Often water Will be OZONATED to kill bacteria. Water that has been ozonated is acceptable as long as it
has also been steam distilled.
* We recommend only the use of STEAM DISTILLEO water in your boiler *
Oil
Since the beginning of the steam age there has been a heated discussion of which oils are best for cylinder lubri-
cation. The development in recent years of a plethora of synthetic oils has only exacerbated this discussion. All
the major oil companies now produce innumerable synthetics; yet they all still recommend similar, non-synthetic,
oil and tallow blends for the use in saturated steam cylinders. Although these may carry individualized brand
names, they are all a compounded ISO 460 heavy oil for use in steam cylinder environments. They have all been
developed to resist being washed off the metallic surfaces by the action of water and hot steam, and all are de-
signed to be carried to the necessary lubrication points by being entrained in the stream of steam. The oil compa-
nies also occasionally reference these oils as “ AGAMA 7 Compounded” oils, and they also come in weights other
than ISO ratings of 460.
Oil that meets this specific criteria is available from your Accucraft Dealer and from Sulphur Springs Steam Mod
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els, as well as from the bulk distributors of the various oil companies. What you need to ask for is “ISO 460 Steam
Cylinder Oil, AGAMA NO.7 Compounded.” Esso names their brand of oil” CYLESSTIC ,” Conoco calls theirs” Inca
,” Chevron references theirs as” Cylinder Oils W ,” Mobil uses the name” 600 W Super Cylinder Oil,” and Phillips
calls their oil” Hector.” Also available is “Green Velvet Steam Cylinder Oil.” We have not tried this oil, and have no
opinion as to its suitability, but it is being used by various “ride on”, 7.5 inch gauge builders. It can be purchased
from William L. Petitjean, P.E., Inc. doing business as Steam Engine Lubrication Specialties. Their address is P.O.
Box 1118, Fall City, Washington 98024, telephone 425 222-6781.
**** We recommend only the use of the ISO 460 oils listed above ****
Excess oil beyond that necessary to lubricate the valves and cylinders is detrimental to the locomotive.
Unlike a butane fired boiler, your K-28 does not have any holes or drain in the bottom of the smoke box. This
means that excess oil delivery to the cylinders will become mixed with cinder and ash to form a sludge in the
smoke box, besides forming this sludge, oil soaked cinder and ash can be carried out the stack to be deposited
as an abrasive on the running gear.
To ensure proper lubrication your K-28 conversion is fitted with an adjustable lubricator and oil piping that is sepa
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rate from the main steam line. This allows the oil flow to be regulated to optimize lubrication while reducing excess
oil residue in the smoke box and oil splatter on the exterior of the locomotive. The use of a proper steam cylinder
oil as listed above, one that has high adhesion and resists being washed away, means a proper adjustment of the
lubricator can be made. Adequate lubrication of your valves and cylinders results from an oil flow rate of between
1 and 1 1/2 cc of oil per hour. Oil flows in excess of this are unnecessary, wasteful and can contribute to cleanup
problems and excess wear and tear on the running gear. Proper adjustment of your lubricator will be covered in
detail further on in these instructions.
Accessories You Will Need
What You Need To Obtain
1.
Shovel Pick (sku#AP-28200), Flue Brush (sku#AP-28201), & Draft Fan (sku#AP-28202)
They can be purchased from Accucraft dealers.
