Chris Walker Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Guymonmd wrote
> ========================
> >One more thing. The OY is in Antonito.
> >Yes there is still time for it to be moved back
> to Chama
before snow closes the line,
> >but time is getting shorter for that to happen.
>
>
> OY being a Snowplow that could use a test run,
> then that time would be the best to return it to
> Chama, a little snow wouldn't stop that from
> happening, dontcha think?
All,
I BELIEVE.......that OY still needs mechanical work before it can be fired up and used. It is my understanding that the work done by the Friends relates primarily to the exterior of the unit vs. the actual machinery. The boiler, piping, engine, drive train and impeller would all still need to be inspected, cleaned and repaired as needed, and then I would think a hydro and test steam-up would need to be done in the presence of a State Boiler Inspector. After that, a test run would be in order, to ensure that the machine works correctly and is robust enough for plowing. Between the annuals on all of the locomotives and the work needed by OY, the Chama Shop Crew is going to have it's collective hands full this winter.
For folks who are planning to travel some distance for the rotary run in 2020, one thing to bear in mind is that there is significant risk associated with such a trip. Snow conditions could be anything from zero to overwhelming, and the machine could suffer a significant failure in the first 10 minutes of operation, wiping out the entire event. Remember, back in the day, these machines were used on fresh snow, not the concrete that accumulates over an entire season. Those of us who went to White Pass in 2011 went there with all of that in the back of our minds. Fortunately, the snow situation in the pass is pretty reliable.....although there was zero snow in Skagway. In addition, the mechanical guys had done a wonderful job on Rotary #1. In the 4 days of the event, they ran that unit as hard as it ever ran back in the day, and never broke a thing. Fingers crossed for OY in 2020!
/Kevin Madore