Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

That's a neat thought however there were no flame fired 50's that left the factory that way.
A previous owner built the tall firebox and lengthened the steam and water lines to accomodate.
As you can see, this boiler had a pair of ceramic cartridge insert heaters as did all #50's from the 30's through the early to mid 1960's.


This takes nothing away from the fact that it is a wonderful piece and I believe that generator is the only known example of a free standing DC generator.


The only other flame fired #50 boiler I have seen was heavily modified by Randy Calhoun for marine use. He took a riveted #50 boiler and cut the appropriate holes to solder in a horizontal fire tube to utilize a torch heater in his boat that has a Jensen #80 for her engine. That boiler is also sheathed and insulated.


Gil