Identification of a locomotive part

joezuc · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:29 pm **Posts:** 3

Attachment:

mysterypart-01.jpg [ 142.56 KiB | Viewed 6625 times ]

Attachment:

mysterypart-01.jpg [ 142.56 KiB | Viewed 6625 times ]

Attachment:

mysterypart-01.jpg [ 142.56 KiB | Viewed 6625 times ]

Hi,

this component made of brass and copper is in an antique store. The seller says that it is a "B&O locomotive part"

What is it?

F.N.Kuenzel · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 4:14 pm

What is the diameter of the thing? Does it have any markings on it anywhere? It sorta looks like maybe it could be a locomotive crosshead oiler? Looks like it has a small hole in the top that a long neck oil can could put drops of oil in.Does the top unscrew?

Over the past 20 years i've dug up several locomotive crosshead oilers along an abandoned NYC/LS&MS line while metal detecting along it close to where i live.Some were made of brass,others cast iron with brass tops,and some that were all cast iron.If this is one it looks pretty darn old and larger than what i've found.The smallest one i've found wich is solid brass and on the far right of my attached photo is about the same size as a trumpet mouthpiece but is threaded on the bottom.

joezuc · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:29 pm **Posts:** 3

Hi, there is no hole at the top. The round part is about 8 to 9 inches in diameter. It is very heavy so I think most of it is solid brass and copper.

WSRR · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:06 am

Hello,
Just looking @ your locomotive part, does any of it unscrew & what can be seen looking
up where it seems to screw on?

I'm wondering if its a displacement lubricator, your response to my questions will help with that.

Regards.

joezuc · **Joined:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 5:29 pm **Posts:** 3

Here are some views of the top. It is maybe 6-8 inches in diameter.

There is a little indentation or hole at the top, but I don't know if it goes all the way through to the bottom. I will have to go back to the antique store to see if any parts unscrew. It appears to be one component.

The piece is extremely heavy so I think it's mostly metal even if it has a tube or any hollowness, it appears to be copper and brass/bronze.

Paul D · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:06 pm

How about an air chamber for a crosshead pump?

Dave · **Posted:** Sat Oct 08, 2011 7:16 pm

The ones I've seen look like a light bulb. Dashpot for an early SU carb?

If the "hole" on top is just a dimple, it could have been for a lathe center, which might make the piece just a sort of finial of some kind. Is there any passage leading up into the body from the smaller end with what looks like flats for fitting a wrench?

dave

Robert Yuill · **Posted:** Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:55 am

Two questions,

Whats to say that is really a railroad or locomotive item?
What is the configuration at the end with what looks like a hex? does this go internally?

Robert Yuill

Identification of a locomotive part

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