Illinois Railway Museum Blog

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.

Space to work

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.

Timber for the Shay

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!!. 

Preparing to lift

Anyway, we achieved it and then it was possible to lift the bolster off the truck.

Lift in progress

So now the springs that are to be replaced are free and clear.

Target of the operation

Small snag - the truck must also be examined for damage or cracks which means removing 50 years of hardened grease and muck.

Cleaning project

Meanwhile Rick was completing the cover over the vertical lathe to protect this during the winter.

Protection for the lathe

We were also able to progress a number of machining tasks.

Thanks everyone for a very productive day's work

Nigel