Illinois Railway Museum Blog

A second hand update this week as I was not there.  It sounds like a good day's progress despite (or probably because of .. !!) my absence.  Thanks to Phil for the input.

Steady progress on 1630:

·         Bob and Phil worked around the UT measurement points to ensure that those where we could not get a clear signal last time are ready for retesting.  We have confirmation that Tom will be back next Saturday to do this;

·         Bob now has the measurement packages for several of the sheets to allow work to progress on the form 4;

·         Eric was able to depth check most of the stays on the Fireman's side except for a small number where heavy lifting to remove grates will be required;

·         Bob needle chipped the wrapper sheet around the turbo generator and removed the last of the insulation in that area;

·         Phil cleaned off the top to the tender.  Next we will need a spell of needle chipping to prepare it for painting.  This is not an area that is visible to the onlooker but, being flat, it gathers water and needs to be well primed and painted to avoid rust;

·         Cameron and Phil started work on preparing the ends of the super heater flues for safe ending.  These have to be ground to provide a taper into which the tapered end of the extension tube is fitted and welded.  (These are not simply butt welded as it is important that, should the weld fail, the flue would not simply drop into two pieces);

·         Unfortunately the Sullair developed a problem which prevented sandblasting of the tube section that we need for the safe ending..

In other areas:

·         Paul continued needle chipping  the truck of the Shay;

·         Ralph machined the last of the bull rings for 428;

·         A large team worked on the rivet furnace and the fire brick for the base has now been poured in situ.  It looks as if this is now getting close to ready once the concrete has dried and will then need to be carefully fired to prevent cracking.

Firebrick casting (1)

Firebrick casting (1)

Firebrick casting the end result

Nigel