Illinois Railway Museum Steam Department

Shop update 8/02/09

August 3rd, 2009 Posted in News

Coppied from the IRM Yahoo Group with added content at end:

Yesterday, Stu, Bob, Bill continued work on the thrust plates for the 1630
bearing boxes. The decision was made not to use babbitt and screw the plates
directly against the boxes. This means additional holes must be drilled. Stu
spent a great deal of time figuring out where, on the plate, the holes need to
be drilled. Bob, Stu and Bill also counter sunk the existing holes amd fitted
the brass screws.

Rick and myself worked on creating a guide to cut the insulation for the 428’s
boiler. Bob Kutella had a brief meeting with Rick about the diameter of the
boiler. There is a guide for cutting insulation for the 1630, but it’s diameter
is different. Rick plans to build a guide at home.

Bob and Victor Humphries also took pictures of what is going on in the steam
shop to post online.

The brass for the second bearing box for the 1630 is almost finished. Bruce
needs to make a final cut.

Dennis spent his day welding the 1630’s tender attempting to plug the final
leaks. If you saw the number of leaks that existed when he started, you know
the fantastic job he has done.

Ed and Duane were taking measurements of the 3007, but I have no idea why.

Next Saturday, we will do the final hydo on the 428. Then, it is up to Tom to
pick a day to fire it!

Work also contined on the CB&Q 3007 to ready it for a photo shoot in the near future. Some of the pieces that were removed for transport will be re-installed for the photo, and work continues on removing the jacket for insulation removal.

Added content:

Bill and Bob tested the steam dynamo from 428 and determined that the brushes for the generator will need to be machined or replaced in order to make it fully functional. It was nice to hear the sound of a steam dynamo in the shop, even though it was only running on air. As stated above, a steam test of the 428’s boiler will be conducted by the end of the fall in order to test the injectors and check valves for leaks. There still is plenty more work to be done on the UP 428 such as renewing the running gear, riveting the cab, and installing all the appliances and accessories, but a steam test will put us one step closer to completion.

Please stop by the shop and visit us to see for yourself the progress being made by the IRM Steam Team!

Matt

 

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