Boiler life

[Ivan PrinceParticipant @ivanprince58081]

[Ivan PrinceParticipant @ivanprince58081]

I am looking at buying a second hand loco and have a question about boilers

I know that the boiler will require a test certificate but what is a reasonable life expectancy   of a copper boiler

 

Ivan 

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

I recently saw a club loco boiler which had been in use for 30 years. Not a pretty sight however, but it had been working and was due for replacement. It all depends on the standard of silver soldering, good staying and workmanship, adequate copper thickness with sufficient fillets etc to withstand the attacks by combustion products.

[gardener69Participant @gardener69]

Copper boilers maintained right should last a lifetime.  In Australia they are re-examined and certified every three years.  There are not many that fail.  If buying 2nd hand buy on the basis of the boiler passsing its test certificate and ask around at the club where it has been running, other members will know the history.

Gardener69

[Author]

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