Re: 487's Plow

CodyAkin Wrote:
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> Not sure on the exact year, but the '87 apperantly
> borrowed a pilot cage and beam from one of her
> sisters and ran without the plow for a short while
> on the C&TS.
>
> It's kinda odd to see her without the famous plow.

In 1981 487 had the plow removed and a standard pilot beam and pilot installed (probably cannibalized from 483). This was done because of the old FRA boiler inspection regs. 487 had gone through it's flue time and was now on flue extension. Every winter the front end had to be opened up, two bottom flues pulled out and the boiler inspected. Having the plow in place would double the amount of work necessary to do this procedure, so it was removed. 487's wood beam plow went to 488 for the summer of 1981, then was removed. 488 went back to a standard pilot in 1982. 487 ran most of rest of the 1980's with as standard pilot. I can't recall when the plow was put back on.