Re: GRAMPS 75th Anniversary in 2015 ...

Yes, the idea is to survey and evaluate the entire boiler and verify through measurement and calculations that it will meet the required safety factor. The only way a boiler can be thoroughly inspected is by the removal of the tubes, cleaning of the interior and complete removal of the jacket and boiler insulation. The tubes can be re-used, but would require a portion of each end to be removed and a replacement portion (safe-end) to be welded on. This can be expensive regarding labor wise, unless one has some volunteer welders with this skill. Sometimes, depending on condition of the old tubes and availability of new ones, new tubes are best. When I worked in Durango in the early days of the D&S, we safe ended all the tubes.

Keep in mind that FRA requirements also require the owner operator to conduct specific inspections after the initial 1472 Service Day Inspection is complete. These inspections require documentation and in some cases, filing of inspection documentation with FRA or having available for review throughout the 1472 Service Day (or 15 Year) cycle. The more the locomotive is used (service days), the more inspections are required. At a minimum, an annual inspection would be required. This is how both the owner/operator can verify and document the appropriate inspections and assure the locomotive is maintained properly to FRA. A locomotive can go through all the rigors of a 1472 Service Day inspection, but if they do not follow-up with the other FRA requirements and documentation……it may no longer be a FRA compliant locomotive.

That is the risk if a locomotive is restored by someone and wants to operate it on the FRA regulated railroad. All applicable FRA regulations will apply.

MD Ramsey