Re: RGS #20 frame

Number #20's jury rigging:
Bob Richardson tells the story that every time,in later years, the Boiler inspector showed up in Ridgway, No. 20 would be somewhere out on the line at some inaccesible location, making inspection impossible. I have an annual inspection report, dated January 3rd, 1944. Stating #20 underwent Class A-5 repairs in Alamosa. The hydro test was witnessed and notarized. #20 was certified OK. Report says "staybolts hammer tested under 225 lbs. hydro pressure, in the margin. This had to be a legit overhaul/inspection.
20 odd years ago, John Bush had the asbestos removed from #20's boiler and fabricated a new jacket. The boiler was ultrasounded and there were "thin" spots. Visual inspection showed welding in the firebox up to the first course of staybolts for quite a distance on both sides. It looked like a flock of pigeons had had dumped on the firebox. The 2nd set of drivers had so much lateral play, that when moving #20 4'X 4' cribbing had to be laid on the outside & inside of the curved portion of track to keep the 2nd driver set from dropping on the dirt.
Just thought folks would like to know. It's amazing that 20 operated up to the end of the RGS. 20 also pulled 346 from the Montezuma lumber spur in Dolores to Durango, after Bob Richardson bought 346.
HighCommander