Barco Flexible Joints

The Barco flexible joint is a spherical joints held into place by two concave glands. The joint is made steam tight by the nut compressing the gland against the ball end. Flexible joints allow piping to bend and flex and were often used to connect the steam and air lines on the engine and tender as well as the steam heat line on the back of the tender. The ball ends are made from chrome steel. A steel clip or pin on the nut keeps the nut from comes loose.

Barco Flexible Joints used for air brake lines on 6167.

The range of motion possible with Barco Flexible Joints used in Engine-Tender Connection for Steam, air oil and water.

A selection of different styles of Barco Flexible Joints for locomotive piping.

Barco Metallic Steam Heat Connection, Type FT-1 for rear of tender.

When it came time to disassemble the Barco Flexible Joints on 6213, the first thing we did was tap the nuts with a hammer to try and free them if they had seized up and doused them with WD40. I suspect that the railway had a specific tool for loosen the nuts, but in our case a large pipe wrench worked just fine. A metal clip prevents the nuts from coming loose, be sure to move it out of the way. Once the nut has been removed, soak the glands in WD-40.

To free the glands, hammer on the piping - the pipe comes down from the locomotive at an angle, before running horizontally to the tender, where it has a 90 degree bend going up. Hammer on the horizontal section, close to the joint and eventually the gland will come loose. Steam lines may be more difficult then air lines from corrosion.

When working on the drawbar or stoker, I find the air and steam lines are handy because they give you something to stand on, so I would suggest leaving them in place as long as possible when separating an engine from its tender.

The Steam Heat Connection on the back of the tender had to be removed as well when the tender was loaded onto the trailer.

Steam Heat and Stoker Engine steam supply flexible joints removed from 6213.

Close-up of flexible joints used for air brake lines on 6213.

Close-up of ball end showing the nut and gland.

Close-up of Barco Flexible Joints attached to locomotive.

Grant Kingsland labeling the Steam Heat Conduit after it was removed from 6213.
Photo courtesy Lionel Levitt

The piping in the flexible joints for the Stoker Engine steam supply had deteriorated due to moisture being retained in the asbestos wrap. While we were working on the engine the pipe broke. Fortunately repairing it is a matter of removing the old pipe from the flexible joints and bending a new pipe.

2. Inspection And Repair:
     Charge up the connection to be tested, then examine all joints for leakage, or nuts that may be loose or slackened off.
     Inspect all flange elbow and flange-fitting bolts, tightening up all that are found loose. These nuts should be fitted with double nuts or single nut with lock nut.
     Grasp each horizontal pipe separately and move it laterally. If they are stiff or hard to move, the joints must be lubricated heavy graphite grease.
     If the gasket is nearly touching the ball joint, a new gasket must be applied.

When joints are disconnected they should be supported by wire or rope to the engine and tender to prevent damaging the ball of the joint should the engine or tender be moved. When reassembling, wipe all parts clean and lubricate both sides of the gaskets and the outside of the ball with graphite grease. Sufficient grease should be on the outside of the ball between the two gaskets to fill up the space when the joint is assembled. Lubricate the threads on the nut and casing and tighten the nut so that both the gaskets will be in contact with the ball. Charge pipe with pressure and tighten sufficiently to stop all leakage, in this position the ball should be held firmly, but should not bind, then put lock spring in place.

4. Lubrication:
All joints must be lubricated with heavy graphite grease, as specified in Misc. Form HM-16, every six months, or more frequently if necessary.

5. Gravity Trap:
Gravity trap in steam connections should be replace when leakage exists.

6. Application Drawings:
All Barco Flexible Joints should be applied in accordance with standard Drawing 3H-15549, and as shown on individual drawings for each class of locomotive. Type of Barco Joint to be used is as shown on Drawing 2H-15627, or as specified on Drawing 3H-15549.
For Metallic Steam Conduits on back of tenders see M.R.-128.

2. Authorized Repair Points:
Metallic Steam Conduits must only be repaired at the following points:

           Atlantic Region - Moncton
           Central Region - Pt.St.Charles
           Western Region - Fort Rouge
           Grand Trunk Western
           and Central Vermont - Port Huron

3. Removal Of Conduits:
Each year before the commencement of the heating season, all metallic steam conduits on cars and locomotives must be checked to see that thet are in good condition for winter service.
Defective conduits must be removed and turned in to Stores Department for shipment to the authorized repair point.