E-8 E-9 Michianna Tanks in Tales of the Jointed Track

E-8 Michianna Tank saga ....

The E-8's were brought into line three . The pipe fitters already were acid washing the boilers and making repairs as needed. The laborers, were cleaning the engine rooms and getting ready to wash off the excess grime, from the exterior.

The wash rack was shut down due to cold temperatures, so any cleaning was done by hand. We had an E unit that was due a mid-trip maintenance, so we did the top decks of the diesels, and made sure the rocker assemblies were proper and within tolerance. We would also adjust the fuel injectors, so they were firing off properly and within tolerance. Adjustments would be made when shut down. Fuel, oil and air filters were changed out.

This is the inside of the top deck. The big studs and bolts, holding down the adjoining cylinders and heads are the crabs and crab studs. You can see the cam at the very top. The rockers are the 3 extending yellowish looking brackets, you can see the rollers on the cam lobe faces. The rockers to left and right rocker assembly, work the exhaust valves. You can see the springs of the set of valves on this side of the cylinder head. The center rocker operates the fuel injector. There are no intake valves, due to being 2 cycle and the air box provides the fresh combustion air. The odd looking lines, bottom left going up to the injector are the fuel and fuel return line. The diesel injector takes a charge of fuel, and also it lubricates the internal part of the injector. The excess returns to the fuel tank and works its way back. The round rod, with the furled adjustment, is what works the "rack" and increases or decreases fuel, via the governor and the lay shaft.

The Michiana tank

Looking toward the center of the locomotive The round upright tank just off set to the left is the Michiana tank. Bottom right is the Main Generator. Just above that is the roots blower ( that pressurizes the air box for combustion ) The diesel (one of two) is just behind the blower. Top decks and the little black inserts, those are the flash cocks that help remove extra moisture, when the diesel is cold. Below is the air box inspection covers.Below another set of hatches to the crankcase. You also can see the fold down deck platform to aid in looking at the top deck.

Since this was a BN unit, it had the cotton waste filled sock filters. Those were fished out ( they has a wire loop on top ) so you pulled them out, as the tank was drained, and the missing oil volume was re filled. Yes, this was all reclaimed and recycled , re refined, before that became politically correct. There was two 35,000 gallon tank cars that helped the process. The cotton waste sock filters, had a recycle company buy them, and picked them up. They were sent to concrete batch plants for fuel.

Well I changed out the filters, replaced with a new gasket, lubed that with a thick grease to help it set, put the lid down.

During this process, it was break time. I told Harold I'll finish up, and meet you guys down there. What was my error..? After I changed the filters and put the new gasket in, the lid was placed down and the bolts tightened and secured. All is right with the world NOT!!!!. Eddie Cohen, the electrician, said "Hey Kid ...bump this over so I can stone hone the generator. Keep it slow with the lay shaft and I'll smooth out the armature". Okay me and Eddie the only 2 in the engine room, and my work is done. I'll help Eddie out. I primed the diesel and said "Ready, I'll bump it over. I did and I heard the diesel start to fire off. I held resistance to the lay shaft, Eddie had the stone going over the face of the armature. The oil pressure came up and a fan spray of oil was and went everywhere. I had totally soaked the engine room, in a small area, but oil was everywhere. Eddie said well Harold and the laborers are gonna chew out yer ass on that one and left. I got rags and waste from the rag bin. I grabbed a few laborers that were good guys and we started. Well I got tattled on, after most of the carnage was cleaned up, and Yes I helped them out.. Harold was there at the engine room door, stern with his hands on his hips, "Goddamn KID!! what the Fuck did ya do now ?"

What was my error? It was when I put the lid down. I did not shake it side to side to make sure it seated and didn't hang up. It hung up just enough to spray oil everywhere... A mistake I made sure I never repeated..

Another "newer style" of Michiana oil filter tank. Notice it lays horizontal, instead of standing. And yes, you need to SHAKE those lids as well, so to insure they seat properly.

Last updated August 20, 2014