[Steam-engine] Big FBM vertical started with Steam compressor

[Richard Strobel]

G'day all;
  Well I finally got the real story on this display down at the Barnes Steam 
and Power show.  Here's the boiler and rather large Ingersol Sargent 
Steam/Air Compressor..note the large air tank:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/87230418/87484390YUgaLN

The compressed air is piped underground to the FBM for starting..here's the 
FBM:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/87230418/87231092MsCWEP

Thanks to Gary Yaeger for explaining this setup...here's his description:


"
Rick,
I wonder if John Hochstettler no longer comes their show?  He used to be the 
FBM guy.  John would get their propane torch over at the FBM and pre-heat 
the copper "glow plug" pins.  Meanwhile over at the Broderick boiler, 
pressure is setting on 150 PSI and everyone is in place to run the 700 hp 
Ingersol Sargent steam compressor.  One of the Barnes' would climb up to the 
main steam valve, crack it open so the condensate would blow out of all ends 
of the cylinders, gradually speeding the RPMs until the cylinder cocks could 
be shut.  Then they'd open the main valve until it was running full speed. 
When the compressor storage tank was near the top, they'd open a large valve 
that ran underground to the FBM.  It would start turning over and would soon 
"light up."  The IR compressor was shut down, as the boiler was dreained way 
down anyway, and someone would release the rest of the pressure in the 
compressor tank.  I don't remember exactly how the FBM was controlled, but 
he'd let it almost stop, then send more diesel fuel.  After a huge explosive 
backfire, it'd take off again.  Only one cylinder runs in a steady pull. 
Throttling it back, then opening the throttle, it'd run on both cylinders, 
until it got up to speed again.  Pretty simple, huh?