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MNGRR Steam Team Work Session Report 03/24/2007
By Mike Moulison
John Roppel punching tubes.
With blue skies and still water on Casco Bay, members of the Steam Team began the task of putting engine Number 4 back together in preparation for a hydro test. There were several “newer” faces in the mix, along with a number of regulars. Rick Knight (CMO), John Roppel, Jay Monty, Don Sanger, Mike Moulison, Gerry Bagley, Bill Piche, Colby Miles, and Richard Bock made up the crew. It is always refreshing to see new faces come along to strengthen our efforts! Everyone has something to offer, and conversely, we all walk away with some new piece of knowledge or new skill at the end of the day.
John Roppel worked with Bill, Colby, Don, and Richard; punching tubes, cleaning out the smokebox, and reassembling the components of the front end. These include the baffling, exhaust nozzle, petticoat, and the screen. This provided an excellent educational moment, as some of the newcomers were given the opportunity to see and learn about some of the “hidden” parts of a steam locomotive.
Since our last work session, Rick has used the machine shop of Russ Page to produce new throttle shafts for Number 3 and Number 4. In addition, Rick has machined bolts and pins needed for engines 3 and 4. Special Thanks to Russ Page for letting Rick use the shop for the benefit of MNG, and special thanks to Rick for spending a lot of hours producing these parts!
Rick, Gerry, and Jay worked on putting the throttle back together. The job of connecting the throttle rod with the cab control and the actual throttle body, along with repacking and adequately sealing off the boiler is near completion, pending the construction of one more pin which Jay has agreed to do before our next work day.
Mike and Bill prepped the mudring plugs, handhole gaskets, dome ring, and the dome cover so they are ready to be installed.
Lunch was had outdoors thanks to a McDonald’s run by Jay, so little time was lost to lunch.
Next, Bill spent some time in #4’s tank helping to prep the inside for a new coat of POR paint. Mike, Hans, and Rich have agreed to complete this job before the next work day.
Bill Piche working in the smokebox.
Rick, Gerry, and John spent a great deal of time at the end of the day pulling the bellyplug out the locomotive in preparation for a boiler wash during the next work day. With much persistence, the crew successfully removed the plug before calling it quits around 1800.
I would like to personally thank Jay Monty, Bill Piche, and Colby Miles for helping me remove the pile of scrap wood that came off of Coach 22. The four of us used Number 1 and a flat to move the wood to a boxcar for use when firing up this season.
Richard Bock and Bill Piche look on with Don Sanger hard at work.
The next work session is Saturday, April 7th. If anyone wants to help paint the tank and is available next Sunday, April 1st, please contact me at captmike331@aol.com.
On April 7th, the plan is to perform the boiler wash, and then finish all the tasks required to seal up the boiler so we can conduct a hydro test!!! As the beautiful weather suggested, it won’t be too much longer before steam will once again be alive on the Maine Narrow Gauge!
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