Re: SVRY #19

mikerowe Wrote:
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> The general rule of thumb for a Form 4 on a
> medium-sized locomotive, according to "those in
> the know," starts at about $500,000 and goes up
> from there. To a certain extent that figure can
> be reduced by volunteers. But so much of the work
> has to be done by licensed, certified, and
> otherwise highly-skilled personal, you are not
> going to be able to chisel away a lot of that
> $500,000.
>
> There are good reasons for doing it right the
> first time from the rail head to the top of the
> stack. The first is that cut-rate maintenance
> work will only come back to nickel-and-dime you to
> death over the next 15 years.
>
>...But each
> and every member of the community also has a
> responsibility to act professionally in his or her
> operation for the good of the community. One
> serious accident, one fatality, would be the kiss
> of death for the steam railroading world as a
> whole. You can be sure that insurance rates would
> go through the roof, to the detriment of every
> operator. Or worse still, insurance would simply
> become unavailable. Don't take shortcuts; play by
> the rules, no matter how onerous they may seem.
> You'll be glad you did!
>
> Mike Rowe

The Initial 1472 day inspection and Form 4 is the difficult and expensive one, the one requiring reverse engineering and correction of wear and tear, and design flaws dating in some cases from the builder. The second 1472 day inspection requires very little more than an old style re-flueing job. A UT survey of the boiler is required, the results of which are compared to the minimum thickness dimensions that are already calculated and recorded in the Form 4. Any area that is below minimum thickness needs to be addressed, just like in the old days. The only difference is that in the old days we relied completely on the experience and good eye of the boilermaker, now we can rely on technology and engineering numbers for each specific part, in addition to the experience and good eye of the boilermaker.

Comparing the UT readings for the second 1472 day inspection to those of the first can be a real eye opener as to what is deteriorating and how fast in a given boiler, and can give an operator a wake up call on how he protects his boiler from corrosion. Things like keeping the engine under cover, using proper water treatment, and aggressively drying it out between periods of operation can make a huge difference.

We have done two second 1472 day inspections on our engines already, and have a third coming up in the next year. Time flies.

Mike’s 2nd and last paragraphs above are right on the money, and I agree completely. Everyone please be careful with your operation. We are all depending on you.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2009 07:49AM by Kelly Anderson.