Railway King No 5

jblack5966 · Post by **jblack5966** » Wed. Dec. 17, 2014 9:56 pm

So, I have found myself in a position I think many here can relate to as of late, too many stoves and too few flues to hook them up to. I got 2 flues and 4 stoves and not only do I not want to sell any stoves, but there are many more I would love to own. I expected a cheap alternate fuel source when I got involved with coal, not an expensive collecting addiction.
Anyway, this brings me to my latest acquisition, a railway king #5, short of it was used in a train station and is supposed to be a great heater I got nothing in the way of history or age, I have seen info on a #14, but that was general, nothing specific, wondering if anyone has anything?
I am also curious as to opinions on it, I just got it and have not hooked it up yet. Got it for 500, it is a monster that should last a lifetime, I am happy with the purchase, but always like to hear others opinions. So what do you guys think and doors anyone have any information on the stove that would date it?

DePippo79 · Post by **DePippo79** » Thu. Dec. 18, 2014 1:28 am

I don't know if you looked here yet, but it's a start. Unfortunately I have yet to see a railroad building with its original coal stove. Even the great restored Victorian N. Conway, NH train station lost it's coal stoves. Maybe William can give more info.
http://antiquestoves.net/dir/78-all-antique-stove ... g&start=50
Matt

DePippo79 · Post by **DePippo79** » Thu. Dec. 18, 2014 1:35 am

Here's some more info.
http://antiquestoves.net/dir/railroads-train-stations
Matt

DePippo79 · Post by **DePippo79** » Thu. Dec. 18, 2014 1:58 am

Interpretation of coal stove in historic railroad station. Too bad it got stolen.
http://roslyn-news.com/potbelly-mystery-needs-solving/
Matt

stovehospital · Post by **stovehospital** » Thu. Dec. 18, 2014 6:59 am

The Rail road King or Station Heater is a good heater but thee are some things to look for.
1. The one in the photo is missing the follower on the grate shank. Don't light that stove till you find or make one.
2. The grate is held in place by a long arm with a loop on the end. They tend to sag eventually and the grate sits at an angle. Hard to repair properly and you usually end up recasting the hanger arm after getting it back into the right shape.
3. Check the firepot for cracks and this stove MUST have a liner before use.
4. The top lid is often cracked but I have some new ones if needed.
5. The large lid opening usually leaks smoke with wood use, Plan on using coal only.

jblack5966 · Post by **jblack5966** » Thu. Dec. 18, 2014 5:03 pm

Thanks for the information. The previous owner recently had a whole new grate cast, it's very solid and in excellent condition along with the housing area on the body. The fire pot area is just the solid iron sides. The guy I bought it from never had fire stones put in. He said he had been using it for 20 years without, but I want it done before I use the stove. I am assuming that is the liner you are talking about right? I just need to look into where to have it done. It seems like it is going to be an ongoing need as I find more stoves I can't say no to. I didn't plan on burning wood in it, I am hooked on coal now, wood just lost its appeal to me after burning coal. It would have been nice if that happened before I ordered the grapple load of wood, but selling dried split wood around here is never a problem.
After reading your comment I checked the stove closely along with the cover and found them both to be in good condition with no cracks. So I figured I will make the follower for the shaker area, get it lined with the fire stones and I should have a solid heater for years to come.

stovehospital · Post by **stovehospital** » Mon. Dec. 29, 2014 7:37 pm

Great news about the parts etc. These were sold as the railway king or the station heater. We see them as 12, 14, 16 or as the 3, 4, 5, Same stove. They were made by about everyone near Boston at one time or another. Walker and Pratt was the biggie. Emery

jblack5966 · Post by **jblack5966** » Wed. Jan. 07, 2015 3:07 pm

Thanks for the information. That will really help when looking for replacement parts down the line. I am almost ashamed to admit it, but I have not even hooked it up yet I am still using my much smaller record foundry stove. I still need to fabricate the shaker handle part to block air flow and get the fire brick lining done. Thought about having a go at it myself, but I am not so sure that is a good idea and have not had the time latley to really put in my due dilligence in understanding every aspect of what I would be getting myself into. I should probably get on it. With this single digit weather as of late, I could definitely use the much larger stove.

Railway King No 5

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