Re: Boiler design question

Bret, we don't have early maintenance records for the #3 but it is not likely that the firebox would have needed repairs. The lokey was used by Eccles for only about six years in Oregon, and they had two other locomotives. In Idaho, Eccles only used the #3 for a few months and on only three miles of track. H&H did burn coal but they too only used the #3 for one season, plus a few months of track laying. In other words, we have put more miles on the Heisler than both of the previous owners and we have not needed to replace any firebox sheets. In steam locomotive terms we got a nearly new locomotive.