Kevin, we really appreciate these updates. Great to see details like the cross compound air pumps, valves, stack extension, etc. being worked. So MANY details on a steamer. Question on superheaters: The flue sheet appears to have almost all holes the same diameter. How many of them are superheater flues vs. just regular flues? :tb-confused:
Hi all, Sorry about the delay, we have been playing OSHA inspection where I work, Lots of fun with emergency lights and fire extinguishers. (Grin) In order (grin) One of the nice things is, that we have the ->possibility<- of operating over the route crossing Glorietta and Raton passes, it is ->not<- guaranteed, but the state of NM owns the track, and both AMTRK and BNSF still run trains over the route. It might happen, that someday we might have a "steam fest" here. I think funding is always problematic, we have our online store and a "Fund a Flue" program, also we do a lot of work in house, we won't quit on the job even if we have to dig deeper into our pockets. Work is steady and progressing. Almost all the flues have super heaters in them, the flue nest has "stacks" of 12 or 14 full sized flues, and each super heater hits two layers of flues. With 5 (I think) banks of Super heaters this fills ten layers of flues, and having only two flue sizes make maintenance easier. Regards, Kevin
Thanks, Kevin. No wonder those 2900's were such good steamers. Tons of superheater area there. :tb-biggrin:
Thanks, Still feeling good, I have lost a little stamina over the years, but have made up for it with skill. (Grin) You know, "old age and treachery overcomes youth and enthusiasm..." (Grin) Regards, Kevin
Here we go the latest crop of photos from the club website..... 1-23-10 1-30-10 2-6-10 2-13-10 2-20-10 The last set of photos has the section of firebox that we are going to replace... It looks like it has the same arc as the sprinkler in the park, (Grin). Sat the 27th is the annual refresher for safety, needed if you want to work on site. Regards, Kevin
Kevin, thanks for posting more progress. It is getting exciting to see how much of that progress you folks are making. I was especially interested in that shot on 1-30 showing the plumbing to and inside the smokebox for the Worthington heater. :tb-biggrin:
here is another set, 2-27-10 3-8-10 3-12-10 3-20-10 And here is a short spot from the New Mexico travle guide, New Mexico Steam Locomotive New Mexico Vacations, Day Trips and Hidden Treasures Regards, Kevin
Time for another slug of photos, 3-27-10 Here is my small claim to fame.. I did the pattern for the new builders plate (Grin) 4-4-10 4-18-10 4-24-10 Regards, Kevin
Kevin, the new builders plate looks good. You guys are really making progress. That firebox patch, is that whole area going to be torched out and a patch welded in? Love the shot of the squirrel or chipmunk eyeing the "nuts." :tb-biggrin:
The patch is a removal of the steel and stay bolts, with the new plate welded in and stay bolts replaced. We could have surface welded to thickness and reground, but the stays would have made the finish work difficult. Also all the stays are rigid, making their replacement relatively easy. And the boiler is made from mild steel, making the welding straight forward. Our Locomotive was built in 44 and all the alloy steel was going in to ships and tanks, Baldwin more or less doubled the thickness of the boiler shell and used low carbon steel. That resulted in a locomotive fifty tons heaver than the 3765s, which class are almost the same engine. (The crews liked the 2900s said they could drag the world away) Regards, Kevin
Actually, it was the 3776 class that looked identical to the 2900's. The 3765 class were the next generation of 4-8-4's after the 3751 class. It was this class that drove the upgrades to the 3751 class locomotives (which is why the upgraded 3751's looked similar to the 3765's).
Here is another crop of photos, 5-2-10 5-15-10 5-29-10 Note the condition of the inside fire box jacket wall. Regards, Kevin
Way too complicated for me, (Grin) We have a novel just finshed for submission to our publisher,(written on spec, now we just have to sell it) the last (hopefully) episode of a short novel due tomorrow (all ready sold, but needs massaging, due to editorial comment) and a second full length novel to get ready for the publishers before the end of July. Not to mention a full time job, and home repairs....(sigh) lots of fun keeping me away from my "Gal friend" Regards, Kevin
I continue to be impressed with your group's progress. Serious work being accomplished there. :tb-biggrin: