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Monday, July 25. 2011Steam Report - July 23, 2011Images and report are from Jim Opolony - THANKS JIM!  Scaffold Work started at 8:00 in the morning by shop members gathering the materials that would be needed for removal of the 1630's superheaters. Since there was a constant rain, placing of scaffolding in front of the 1630 did not start until 9:30. (Our Mamas told us to stay out of the rain when we were little, so we followed their advice.) Last week, steam team members made sure that the nuts holding the first row of superheater tubes in place, on their hangers, were heated and loosened so that the job of removing the tubes would be easier. The decision was made to use the boom on Glenn's truck to lower the superheaters to the ground. The tubes would be pulled out part way from the tubesheet, strapped and connected to the boom before being completely pulled out of the tubesheet. At the same time, they would have wooden blocks attached to their tapered ends to prevent damage.  Smoke Box At 10:00 the center superheater was removed from the tube sheet. To our surprise, the superheater was out of the locomotive and in the shop, on wooden horses, within seven minutes. The entire front row of superheater tubes were out of the locomotive, blocked, stacked, and tagged by 10:35. At this point the work slowed down. The nuts on the second row of superheater hangers had to be heated and loosened. In some cases, this took several attempts before the nuts moved. In addition, since the hanger bolts are cast iron, we had to make sure we did not break them. After the nuts were loose, it took until 2:30 to remove the second row of tubes. An additional problem was that the socket that fit the nuts in the first two rows would not fit into the space between the next row of tubes. Finally, Glenn found a socket that fit.  First Row Superheaters Once on the ground, they would be carried into the shop and tagged by row and their location in the tube sheet. The wooden blocks had been made by Bob Kutella and Victor Humphreys, of the Freight Car Department, for the superheater tubes now in the UP 428's boiler. They will make additional wooden blocks this coming week since the 1630 has more superheaters than the 428.  Second Row Superheaters Work ended on the 1630 with members of the steam team working to loosen the nuts on their threaded hangers on the third row of superheater tubes. Next Saturday, when these superheaters are removed, the nuts on the final row of superheaters will still have to be loosened so that the fourth row of superheaters may be removed. Then, the work to remove the other boiler tubes and flues will start. In addition we still need to find the time to remove the lagging and boiler insulation, and other accessories to allow full inspection of the boiler. Monday, July 25. 2011Barn 4 Work - July 24, 2011 Water Everywhere I mentioned in the previous post that I was forced to change plans, and that is why no report for Saturday. Here is the reason, a dim image that greeted me at the first crack of dawn, about three feet of water on our street.  Window Posts Tim Peters is now attacking the carbody posts on the north side of CRT 1797. This wooden L car originally was a semi-convertible design, and Tim has found evidence of that. It seems odd to me that the side windows could be raised up into and stored between the ceiling and roof, but that is the way it was. Imagine an 'open car' on the elevated!  Lifts Kirk Warner was able to join us for the weekend as part of an intermission on a business trip. We went into the Sand Springs 68 and started the installation of the hardware that the Wednesday shop guys have so perfectly buffed, polished and restored. Kirk is driving the four wood screws per lift on the first window.  One Done Then Kirk insisted I take a test drive, and they seemed to work perfectly. Monday, July 25. 2011ME 28 Update - July 24, 2011Due to a change in plans I was able to journey to IRM on Sunday and got these images of work on the ME 28. Progress continues.  Roof Panels Jeff Brady was installing the last two new roof panels. This has really been a lot of work and those guys are to be congratulated.  Front End Completing the curved roof sheathing on the front and rear ends cannot be far away. On the front end, Norm Krentel has installed a type J governor on the interior bulkhead and here he is fabricating and routing air piping for it. The governor is a device that senses the pressure in the air line and serves to start or to stop the compressor on the car as needed. Once the roof work is done access to this area will be severely limited, so the crew is doing some forward thinking to put this in now. Much of the wiring and other work in this area has also been repaired or in some cases installed new. |
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Comments
Sun, 05-19-2013 22:13
Hello again. I had an idea that was (somewhat rudely, mid-sentence) dismissed in talking to a museum volunteer a few years back, but here it goes [...]
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.
Wed, 05-15-2013 21:28
I was not around at the time. General discussion suggests that it was "pretty marginal" in a number of areas. Nigel
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"
Fri, 05-10-2013 02:15
No, it will not be necessary to hold any of the work waiting for the plow to be turned, end for end. Weather will be the major factor, but there will [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 19:54
The CGW X-38 plow is really coming to life. Bob Kutella and Vic and crew need to be very proud of your collective efforts. I am very appreciative of [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 15:20
The snowplow looks great! Are you going to apply the door and upper windows befor it is turned to continue work?
Thu, 05-09-2013 09:09
Max, Is there any progress to report yet, in regards to the installation of the poles and overhead wires? Have a good day, sir.
Wed, 05-08-2013 18:40
Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Commonwealth #5 was removed from service. Do you know why?
Tue, 05-07-2013 09:28
Mr. Kolanowski.....I was just wondering if the Spaulding webcam will be up and running soon for us stay-at-homes. Thanks!2FP
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:04
Max, Has work begun yet on the construction phase of erecting the poles and putting up the wire? Wish I could be there to watch it happen.
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!