7mm Connoisseur Models LNER N10 Tank Engine

[Dave Holt]

The baffles in tanks were to prevent physical damage - bulging and split seams, due to water surge, they didn't prevent spillage through open filler openings located at the front of the tank.
I'm pretty certain I've seen some archive footage of what happens when a loco makes a smart stop and the lid hasn't been properly fastened. You wouldn't have wanted to be standing nearby.
Dave.

 

[Lawrence Boul]

The baffles in tanks were to prevent physical damage - bulging and split seams, due to water surge, they didn't prevent spillage through open filler openings located at the front of the tank.
I'm pretty certain I've seen some archive footage of what happens when a loco makes a smart stop and the lid hasn't been properly fastened. You wouldn't have wanted to be standing nearby.
Dave.

Having had a browse through some drawings, I now note that for the most part NZR tank locos had their fillers around the centres of the tanks where presumably surge effects would be less. Not always though. The We had them at the front without any retention to the lid (other that a safety chain to prevent loss)