IRM Steam Team

Weekend Update for May 24, 2008

Work continued on Frisco 1630 to get it ready for operation in 2009:

Collin, Rick, Dan, and Matt moved the number 5 axle, and its new tires, outside to stage the items for pick-up (Thursday May 29th) for transportation to Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Railroad will machine the new hub liners and will replace with the old tires with the new ones we provide. They may also machine the axle bearings if needed. This work will eventually be done in-house, in our own shop, but we don’t have the wheel lathe up and running yet. The bearing boxes, however, will be machined in-house by Bruce. JD added more weld material to a bearing box on the horizontal milling machine.

Matt, Dan, and Brian replaced the auxiliary steam dome cover on 1630’s boiler. It was removed to gain access inside the boiler to complete the annual inspection and ultra-sounding of the dry-pipe and braces.

Brian inspected some new paint, that was donated to the department, for the painting of both 1630 and UP 428’s tenders. Hopefully this will be done later this year. We need to at least paint the top of 428’s tender in order to place the new decking that’s done.

Speaking of the Union Pacific 428, more work was completed to it:

Rick has drilled two new holes for the handrail, on the fireman’s side, at the smokebox. This part of the smokebox is the new extension piece that was made several years ago. Holes were never drilled for the handrails.

Bruce continued the metal lathe work with the wheel spindle for the front pilot truck. He is working on the new sleeve where the truck will pivot.

Progress on the Shay as well:

Ed and Rick continued scraping more grease off the frame. It will be primed and painted.

We are getting closer to flanging the new front tube sheet (bottom section). Nigel worked on the repair needed to the McCabe Flanger in order for us to try the test sheet again. Once this is done, and we are comfortable working the Flanger, we can proceed with the real boiler plate.

In general, work continued around the shop:

Collin has finished painting the steel skid that will hold the Flanger. Nigel lubricated and exercised the Bay City crane behind the shop (it hasn’t been done since the winter). Bill rewired the pump and reworked the piping on the pump/heater system so we can hydro test the 428 in the upcoming weeks. Jeff, Ralph, and JD worked in yard 11 pulling track sections, with the Brownhoist crane, so that the new barn can be built. Nigel and Brian discussed painting options for the Bay City crane.

All in all it was another productive weekend in the IRM Steam Shop. Come on down next time your at the museum and stop by the shop. Better yet, stop in and lend us a hand. We are always looking for help. No experience needed. We’ll supply the grease and grime!