Steam loco anatomy - idiot's crash course needed

ge_rik

ge_rik

British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
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Can anyone either point me in the direction of a decent idiots` guide to steam loco anatomy and/or help me work out the purpose of the external pipework on this loco?
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I`m assuming that`s a clack valve on the boiler - but what`s the purpose of the attached pipework? Would it lead to a couple of valves in the cab? Is that a smaller diameter pipe leading into the cab at the union, or is it some sort of linkage to remotely operate a valve on the union?

I`m just about to add these details to the model I`m building - I`m certainly no rivet-counter, but as this pipework is quite prominent, I`d like it to look reasonably accurate.

Rik
PS - Link to original (larger) photo here - https://www.flickr.com/photos/24287492@N02/9268818241/in/photostream/
 
The fitting screwed onto the boiler is a feed check valve, the vertical brass bit with the pipe leading to this is a feed injector, the drain can be see coming out the side and dissapearing below the deck.... The rod running back to the cab would be the shaft of the steam control.
 
Trev's right. The injector requires a water supply from the saddle tank (controlled by the fireman with a valve), a steam feed from the manifold in the cab (controlled by the fireman with a valve). The feed pipe to the boiler clack, and an open ended drain pipe, so that 'overflow' can be observed.
 
Thanks chaps
That`s really helpful - I think I have the gist now. Also, by chance, I happened to visit the Kew Museum of Steam and Water today (as part of my NG railways quest) and got chatting to the driver of their lovely little Wren Class loco (built by Hunslet v Kerr Stuart).

Not only did he explain how the injector worked, he demonstrated it to me...... The beauty of the Wren class is that it`s a loco almost stripped bare so it`s like an big animated diagram. I hadn`t realised the pipework connected to the steam dome - but do now!

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If you`ve not yet visited the museum in Kew, I can thoroughly recommend it. The exhibits are really well laid out and there`s plenty for kids to see and do -loads of handles to turn, buttons to press and watery stuff to play with ....... also an absolutely brilliant place to go it you`re into studying the development of steam power.

Rik
 
I had one on my old steam launch that worked well in harbour or river but when at sea it would become really temperamental. Fortunately there was an eccentric driven feed pump along with a hand pump. Which was strange I thought because the motion in a boat would be far less dramatic than being jerked around on rails.....
 
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