IRM Steam Team

March 9, 2009 Note From the IRMList

Copied from the IRMList on Yahoo Groups…

Work has been progressing at an astounding rate in the last couple weeks, and there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel. The bearings have been turned down to the proper OD and will be pressed in the boxes within the next couple weeks. One that is done, we are going to fit new brass wear plates on and mill those down to the proper dimensions. In short, we are streamlining this operation and using modern techniques and tools to get it done as soon as possible.

While all this work is going on, work on the tender and fire surface continues. The welder has finished with most of the work necessary on the tender patches and the process of chasing leaks will begin soon. Once the tender is water tight, some light body work and new coat of paint will be applied by the resident painter. Final drilling and hammer testing of the fire box stays is underway, and then we will re-install a new fire surface composed of many new grates cast last year from patterns made in 2008.

We are working very hard as a department to ensure that steam will operate again at IRM. Along with all the work on Frisco 1630, we have overseen the installation of a brand new 10 ton overhead crane, rebuilt two new machine tools for the shop, and work still continues on other shop projects such as the shay and UP 428. We are doing as much as we can with the people we have and the resources at our disposal. Please stay tuned to our departments blog and the museum website for updates.