More 315 doings

Yesterday I met with FRA inspector (and former railroader on the GLR, C&T, D&S and GCRy.)Mike Ramsey and D&S boilermaker Danny Webb. We went over the 315's boiler carefully, with Dan Webb and I going into the boiler barrel. Dan was impressed at the boiler condition especially the condition of the crown bolts,throat sheets and knuckle . Our weldwr , Mike Waggoner was also there,and we inspected the back flue sheet and again Dan was inpressed with the thickness and general condition of the sheet, though there was plenty of welding repair to do on it. We looked at a couple of small places where some pad welding may be done. Mike Ramsey liked the fact the lap seam had a reinfocement welt, though the number of rivets could influence what boiler pressure we finally are given by the FRA. Genewrally Mike Ramsy was very happy at the care we were doing as far as preparing the engine for FRA review, and stressed that we should document everything very carefully,including photos of the locations on and in the boiler previously mentioned. Dan Webb and Ramsey were cautiously optimistic that little work was needed on the running gear, but we need to keep oiling up all bearing surfaces before test-rolling the engine. The DRHS also aquired a beautiful steam gauge from the estate of good friend and member Mike Nemecek.
www.rrart.com