Another Successful Year Draws to a Close
Steam Team Work Session, December 29, 2007
By Hans Brandes- Photos by Trevor Hartford & Rich Currie
Today was our final work session of 2007 and a productive day it was. This brings to a close a good steaming year and begins the start of #7 coming back to life (more on this later).
The session was well attended by the following: Rick Knight, Gerry Bagley, Hans Brandes, Rich Currie, Trevor Hartford, Joe and Jay Monty and Larry Urbanski.
Gerry was first to arrive followed by Hans and Rich. First order of business was to pull #4 out of the house for winterization. This was done. First order was to empty the coal bin. Fortunately, the final night of operations left the bin mostly empty. #4 was pulled to the coal bin where Gerry, Hans, Rich and Trevor proceeded to shovel, sweep, empty, etc. to get the bunker and cab to “broom clean”. Joe, Jay and Larry showed up to help finish this off. As we were finishing this dirty job, Rick showed up.
#4 was then towed back the engine house lead for the remainder of the winterization to take place. Joe, Jay, Larry and Hans took off the whistle and the steam dome cover. These are not light items and require more than one person to take them off due to no available mechanical overhead lifting capability. Meanwhile, Trevor and Larry worked under Rick’s watchful eye to remove the steam chest covers. Once removed, the water was siphoned out and anti-freeze and oil put inside.
A fire had been lit to build up heat so that the boiler would be nice and dry when the water was drained. With the fire dying out, it was time to open up the smoke box and take it apart. Joe had brought his trusty grinding wheel as it is easier to grind off the small machine screws than to attempt to unbolt them. This was done and all the baffles, the screen, the blower piping and the exhaust nozzle where removed.
With everything out of the way, the tubes could now be punched and brushed. As usual, a number of the lower tubes were completely clogged with either soot or un burnt coal.
Trevor Hartford and Jay Monty punching tubes on #4.
Before this was completed, it was lunch time where the crew dined on “round steaks” and fries from the local McDonalds. During lunch everyone discussed how the year went and what the plans were for #4 and #7 for 2008.
After lunch it was time to finish up the tube work and call it good for #4. With the last run of the day completed, #1 was available for switching #4 and #7 in the house. This switching was necessary in order to put #7 on the west end of the house next to the door to facilitate restoration work over the next several months.
Yes, work is finally about to begin on putting #7 back in service. MNGR has raised $17,000 towards this effort. This will allow us to go forward, but we need to raise another $10,000 to have sufficient funds to finish the job. We are confident that this will occur once we start showing progress and everyone can see that after all these years that this is really going to happen. Once restored, we will have another 15 years before any additional heavy work is required again.
#7 poses on the mainline prior to being spotted on the west end of the engine house in preparation for start of restoration work next month
Please help us bycontributing what you can so that we can all see #7 once again steaming the rails again. Thank you and see you at our first #7 work session on January 12, 2008…a great way to start the New Year.
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