trying to find out what a vapor storage tank engine is used for is it just reduced fire risk ?


hess

Yes, it's a fireless loco - they were used a lot in industry where you need to avoid sparks or fire. Also in places where cleanliness is important and no smoke. The only emission is water vapour.

Places like oil refineries, chemical plants, paper mills, food factories etc etc.

The vessel is actually filled with superheated water and heavily insulated so as the steam is used and the pressure drops the water re boils since the boiling point will also drop. Provided there's water and a hot enough temperature the water will continue to boil and recover the pressure.
Rather like a large aerosol can.

Apparently they could actually run for several hours without having to be recharged. They could also be left standing for considerable time without using any 'fuel'. The vessel held a lot of water as is had no flue tubes or firebox taking up space as in a conventional steam engine. They could also be driven single handedly and required no special training regarding boiler management as a normal steam engine would. Most large factories or plants had a ready steam supply for other purposes so recharging was quite easy and convenient.

Safety was also a plus point as there was no fire - if the water level was run down too low they simply ground to a halt.

I think some are still used today.

so they must be yard shunters as you could not refuel on the move will be grate for my v2 factory

hess

Here are some photos of a fire less loco in Rheinfelden, Switzerland.

The Loco is now displayed on a roundabout in front of a new housing development being undertaken in the area near the old brewery site.

My understanding is that it was from the Salmen Brewery and was used around the brewery and to take product to and from the Rheinfelden station (about one to two km away), on the Basel Zurich line.

Cheers Brett