Hi Linn,
Good to hear your comments!
You're right. I am a nut about taking care of Eureka. When we come home from events I spend so much time laying it up for storage my wife thinks I am in the shop worshiping it. Being on my knees a lot may have led to this impression...
Even though this situation came up at the last minute concerning Railfest, working with the FRA has been a pleasure. I have received many helpful tips from them over the years, and I know we will work this situation out sooner or later. This is not an insurmountable obstacle, just an expensive and time consuming one that I must weigh considering the limited time it is used. That's why I'm seeing if there might be some leeway under the circumstances. I know there is concern for the way some may treat their equipment. If there is any room for discussion I know these requests must be looked at on an individual basis.
You made an interesting observation about lap seams. It is something that has actually placed us here in Nevada in a predicament. You may be familiar with the Inyo at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. It too has a lap seam, with the reenforcing plates installed. The State boiler inspector will not allow it to run at full pressure because he cannot see the seam. Yet with Eureka, the seam can be inspected, and therefore it has full pressure approved....even though I don't run it there. So, go figure. One regulatory body wants to see it, and the other prefers it to be covered.
I'll give you a call about the other little project we discussed a while ago. But first I've got to see what is the outcome of this latest adventure.
Dan