Re: nng - on the road with SLRG 18
| June 14, 2010 01:41PM |
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18 developed a leak in a superheater tube. The leak was located in the middle of the tube, not at the end or where a new end was welded in. So we pulled the tube out and replaced it with a new one we had on hand. It is a rather involved job. Some pics below...
First the bell and headlight come off, then the smokebox front comes off...
Butler vaccuums some sand and soot out of the way.
Then the superheater elements come out...
The offending flue after grinding some weld off of it. This flue was not applied correctly. Instead of rolling (expanding) it into the hole and beading over the ends, it was simply welded into place requiring a bunch of grinding and torch work on both ends to get it loose....
Butler assumes a near fetal position while cutting the flue loose.....
1100 provides some entertainment on it's way to La Veta...
The reluctant flue was finally removed by pulling it out with a big bucket loader...
The finished hole. After much grinding and swearing by all involved the new tube was installed...
I had to run trains on Sat and Sun. I missed the tube installation, but on Sun morning 18 was outside with the smokebox still open while the guys filled it with water for a hydro test of the new flue. When I came back by that afternoon it was all buttoned up, they had test fired it and all was good.
We have a special group charter on Wed, whic had requested 18, so we will be running her Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun this week.
First the bell and headlight come off, then the smokebox front comes off...
Butler vaccuums some sand and soot out of the way.
Then the superheater elements come out...
The offending flue after grinding some weld off of it. This flue was not applied correctly. Instead of rolling (expanding) it into the hole and beading over the ends, it was simply welded into place requiring a bunch of grinding and torch work on both ends to get it loose....
Butler assumes a near fetal position while cutting the flue loose.....
1100 provides some entertainment on it's way to La Veta...
The reluctant flue was finally removed by pulling it out with a big bucket loader...
The finished hole. After much grinding and swearing by all involved the new tube was installed...
I had to run trains on Sat and Sun. I missed the tube installation, but on Sun morning 18 was outside with the smokebox still open while the guys filled it with water for a hydro test of the new flue. When I came back by that afternoon it was all buttoned up, they had test fired it and all was good.
We have a special group charter on Wed, whic had requested 18, so we will be running her Wed, Fri, Sat & Sun this week.
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488 stops for water at Los Pinos tank on closing day Oct. 1979. Photo courtesy Don Richter
The NGDF was started by Don Richter and is currently operated in his memory by Nathan Holmes and others. Others who have contributed to the upkeep of this board are (in no particular order): Charles McCandless, Everett Lueck, Ted Wilton, Cole Adams, James Bane, John Moellmer, Jon Bentz, Linn Moedinger, lloyd lehrer, Rod Jensen, John Craft, Steven Forney, Herb Kelsey, Bill Ramaley, Russ Sperry (El Russo Loco), Josh McNeal, John West, Jim Armstrong, Bob Bergstrom, Greg Scholl, Blake Forbes Doug van Veelen and Mark Fuller.