Re: Steam Locomotive Maintenance - Avoiding the total rebuild?

Volvoguy87 Wrote:
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> Sometimes it's the labor that kills you. I know
> that on many cars, the timing belt needs to be
> replaced at regular intervals. My '87 Volvo's
> maintenance schedule calls for a timing belt
> replacement at 90,000, 150,000, and every 50,000
> miles after that. A timing belt replacement can
> be a pretty involved procedure, necessitating the
> disassembly of many components in order to gain
> access. Once that amount of disassembly has been
> achieved, it can be very little additional work to
> replace other components that are normally hidden,
> like the water pump. Many manufacturers recommend
> the water pump, or other normally deeply-buried
> components be replaced when the timing belt is
> being replaced because the savings in labor
> charges for the additional components can be
> significant.
>
> I can see how a similar approach to servicing a
> locomotive can be taken. If you have to get into
> some areas which are normally very difficult to
> service in order to perform an inspection to
> service something, it may be sensible to service
> and inspect other nearby components as long as
> you're already in there.
>
> Locomotives, like old cars, always seem to be in
> need of more service!
> Dave

OT.....

Best bet.....don't buy a car that has a timing belt. Many brands have timing chains that don't have regular replacement intervals. Designing a vehicle with a timing belt is just a means for some manufacturers to generate significant revenue for their maintenance departments.

/Kevin