08/24
The August, 2017, work weekend post had a few pictures of the MCRR volunteers replacing ties on the spur on the east side of the South Station. The tie replacing project was in conjunction with the anticipated south spur switch rebuilding project. The next few pictures show the professional staff of Diversified Track Works rebuilding the switch.
A random shot north from the shop. A good portion of our rolling stock is outside so we could gain complete access to the South Station and Museum B. That is the 6 in the foreground without its tender and the 16 anxiously awaiting attention so it can get back into service.
Scott D. attends to the track signals.
"FS-2," "Snare 2," "Squirt" -- whatever we are calling it that second -- pulls the 6's tender from the shop to the hydrant in front of the South Station. The tank's access panels had been removed, the inside prepared, and a waterproof coating applied to the inside walls. With the panels replaced, it was time to fill the tender and check for leaks.
It would be generous to state there were a few leaks. The fasteners holding the access panels in place proved extremely problematic and one of the two feedwater valves sheared off due to corrosion.
Nelson S. and Matt W. monitor the filling of the tender. Later Elliot H. attends to some of the leakey fasteners.
08/26
Alan P. and Dale P. embark of a week long project of getting No. 6 ready for the Reunion.
Started some time ago, the updating of the "green coach" was nearing completion. A much needed coat of paint was applied converting the "green coach" into the "maroon coach."
No. 6's tender was mated to the locomotive. Rex F. and Jesse V. connect the right side feed water line to the tender.
08/27
Paul K., Lee R., and Matt W. fabricate a linkage arm for one of the 6's whistles.
The ready-to-use "maroon coach" after the masking on the windows and doors was removed.
No. 12's turn at the water station. Part of the 2017 season setup is to perform a hydrostatic pressure test of the boiler. First step is to top up the boiler.
With the boiler full, a pressure pump is attached and the pressure is increased to beyond its normal operating value. If no leaks are detected, an excited volunteer enters the firebox to tap on the staybolts to determine if any have cracked in the previous season's use.
08/29
Dale P. continues the preparation of No. 6.
No. 12 gets its waste cellers serviced. Rex F. contemplates doing something other than the waste cellers.
08/30
No. 12's left side feed water system had a water inlet valve fail causing the Sellers 7 1/2 Class N lifting injector to stop injecting. The valve was replaced and Jesse V. restored a portion of the injector's innards to proper working condition.
The converted flatcar (see the July, 2017 blog "DRGW Flatcar 6206 Enters Passenger Service") needed a way to board passengers. John K. fabricates a ramp to join the flatcar to an accompanying coach.
After the ramp was completed, the two units were towed by No. 14 around the tracks to insure there would not be any operational problems with the refurbished coach, the converted flatcar, or the connecting ramp.
No. 6 is ready for fire-up.
08/31
Nos. 6 and 12 getting warmed up for the first day of the Reunion.
09/01
No. 6 leaves the yard on its way to get its consist for the day.
09/02
No. 12, with Dustin B. at the controls, leaves the yard.
No. 6 running light.
09/05
All done. The two locomotives get an end of event clean-up. Elliot H. washes the fire side of No. 12's flues.
-Steam.airman
