EMD Fuel gauges

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

For EMD diesel locos GP & SD models 30 to 50 what was prototype practice regarding round fuel pressure gauge and protruding fuel sight glass?

Both on both sides of fuel tank or just one side? If one side, which side was more common?

What percentage of roads used both? Just the pressure gauge? Just the sight glass?

Why were both needed; OR what is the function of the fuel sight glass–how is it different from the pressure gauge?

I understand fuel filler pipes were used on both sides, so it would make sense that gauges would be used on both sides.

2

The round guage shows gallons, not pressure. The sight glass shows when the fuel level is approaching the top of the tank so the fuel can be shut off before over flowing the tank.

3

would also be on both sides as locomotives run either direction and the fueller can see whats going on in diferent locomotives

tom

4

As above the fuel level gauge is on both sides.

The fuel sight glass was actulaly on the engine above the fuel filters. This was like the old automotive glass sight glass on older gas engines, 1950 an back. When starting an engine it would fill up after the fuel pump was started. The machinist would place a flashlight behind it to check for air bubbles in the flow of the fuel, when clear he would start the engine.

Every locomotive I have worked on had fuel tank gauges on both sides, to prevent overfueling the tank. Granted the fuel nozzel had an automatic shut off, there would be a bit of spillage as he removed the twist off fuel hose nozzel.

5

Not every engine has the round gauge on both sides, Some are just on the engineer’s side, and one of our engines has one on fireman’s side only.