Re: 318 in steam

As the senior volenteer during the 318's short operational life, I have some insite as to why it only lasted two years. The problems started during the next steam-up when the firebox started to crack between staybolts on the right side just above the mud ring. It never ran after that. We tried a firebox replacement and while the poor thing was jacked up, we kept finding more and more wrong with it. As time passed, the work did continue for awhile, but regulations, insurance, and other factors made a return to steam a very distant dream. Would I like to see it run again? Yes! Is it worth the money to rebuild in the near future? Probably not. It was a very smooth running locomotive, but it was a basket case.

Merry Christmas everyone.
Dirk