Boiler wash

[NW Mailing List]

Thanks again, Rick, very helpful.

I’ve read a few high-level descriptions of boiler washing that describe the wands and access points, but have always been curious about the details. 

Matt Goodman

> On Jul 14, 2025, at 4:23 PM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
> 
> Matt,
> 
> Almost all locomotive boilers were designed with one or more washout holes in the "belly" to allow access to the bottom tubes and the belly of the boiler. The idea is to rinse the mud and scale off the tubes and the belly into the mud ring. From there it is discharged out the corner washout holes at the mud ring. The thoroughness of the bolier wash was completely dependent on the person assigned to the job. As with any job, some really cared about doing it right and some didn't. 
> 
> Rick Musser
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