This Saturday we had a surprisingly good turnout. Steam Department volunteers must have felt the need to work off the turkey.
On 1630 work continued steadily.
Collin and Phil worked on the firebox end tube plugs. Another 40 are out. The technique is now well developed but there is a limit to how long you can you can work at this. Since
you have first to gas cut the tube end to a suitable length for removal
the atmosphere in the confined space of the boiler when you use an
acetylene cutting torch does become "a little warm". Still, the
fireman's side is now largely clear.
Mike and Bob removed the stays from the firebox corner. All the rivets and stays are now out so they are now working on cutting out the damaged corner plate. Not simple as the replacement tube sheet fitted in the 1930's was welded into place.
A
great deal of reorganization of the shop was achieved that will provide
Dennis with a better area for welding, under lifting gear that can move
and position heavy parts, as well as free the space in which we can
both swage the fire tubes for 1630 and set up the rig to pressure test
the super heater elements.
The
new fork lift enabled us to move the large timbers being seasoned for
the Shay up onto racking so freeing a lot of floor space.
The Shay saw considerable progress. A
"A" frame outside the shop was broken down and reassembled over the
truck - one of those jobs that sounds easy until you are trying to align
bolt holes in the legs and beam, both of which are heavy enough to need
2 people to move!!.
Anyway, we achieved it and then it was possible to lift the bolster off the truck.
So now the springs that are to be replaced are free and clear.
Small snag - the truck must also be examined for damage or cracks which means removing 50 years of hardened grease and muck.
Meanwhile Rick was completing the cover over the vertical lathe to protect this during the winter.
We were also able to progress a number of machining tasks.
Thanks everyone for a very productive day's work
Nigel
I happened to stop by our site in Union and found a lot of activity. As mentioned previously, every day brings changes and progress on this project. Mike Stauber was out early and began doing more cleanup and needlechipping on the disassembled number two truck, and was helped by Frank Sirinek. (It was windy but certainly above normal temps for late November)
The sideframes for this truck are in the shop area and previously primed. Here, Mike and Frank are moving them to a different area on the floor.
In short order, Mike and Frank had some finish paint on them, and they looked like new. You might see the new steam cleaner sitting behind then in the shop, brand new, and kept out of the weather.
Comments
Wed, 04-11-2018 11:28
You mention in the header that you would like to have the Electroliner operational by its birthday. Was it?
Sun, 04-08-2018 20:03
As a child, IRM was always my favorite place to visit. Well, other than grandma's house next to the Geneva Sub. It's been many years since I now [...]
Wed, 04-04-2018 16:01
Those temporary walls could be constructed in a way that allows their reuse after the phase is done to close off the new phases.
Tue, 03-27-2018 03:08
Why did the smoke box cover on the shay need to be replace Do?
Mon, 03-26-2018 16:29
It never ceases to amaze me of the diligence and passion of the current mix of volunteers associated with IRM in 2018. Back when I was a active [...]
Mon, 03-26-2018 11:10
Awesome paint job Jamie!!! I never would of thought with the Rock Island history this locomotive in this scheme would of been preserved. Thanks for [...]
Sun, 03-25-2018 23:56
The Hick's blog lists it as Fruit Grower's Express FGEX #55407. Arrived in Union June 2016.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:51
Good job on the diesel update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:45
Good job on the steam update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 00:12
Bill, The 1990 Roster has the PFE #68428; this may be the reefer that we saw moved. It is a rare car and deserves a paint job. Ted Miles, [...]
Fri, 03-16-2018 11:10
It would be rather difficult to operate an 11,000 Volt AC locomotive on our 600 Volt DC wire.
Thu, 03-15-2018 05:57
Good job steam update. Sincerely, Ethan A.