Re: Video of RGS 20 Restoration

346 has a condemned #4 (?) axle, and would need to be re-tubed at least. I know that at one point a nearly complete form 4 was done on the boiler, however this was so long ago that it'd need to be redone entirely. She also needs some basic valve work (on the museum schedule for the next few years) and general bringing up to snuff (new brass/piping/packing here and there).

491 is... further away. When '91 was put into service, it was on a pretty tight budget, so more of the same stuff 346 needs would be in order- new brass on most of the running gear, a fresh profile on the tires, possibly some new springs, etc. Her tender would also need to be de-leaked (a technical term there ), her super heated units renewed, and all the tubes/flues replaced. Most of the boiler on 491 has been UT surveyed, so a form 4 wouldn't be impossible, but again, would take time and money.

Make no mistake- all operating equipment that is allowed to leave the shop at CRRM is in top condition, perfectly safe and up to general practice standard. While 346 and 491 are not FRA compliant at current, the work could certainly be put into them if the museum's priorities were to align with such. A little work here, a few checks there, and a little bit of paperwork goes a long way- it's simply not required of us at current, which allows us to pour our focus into other areas (like RGS 20, URy 50, RGS 0404, D&RGW B-8, and everything else we keep rolling).

- Brett



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2020 01:54PM by Brett Wiebold.