Steam is in the Air…Almost.
Steam Team Work Session 6, April 21, 2007
By Mike Moulison - Photos by John Roppel
MNGRR Mechanical Department Volunteer's
The Steam Team arrived Saturday morning with plenty of enthusiasm. This was due in part to the fact that warm temps and bright blue skies made last week's storm a distant memory. Also, everyone knew that if things went according to plan we would have Number 4 steamed up in the afternoon! But first, we needed to conduct a successful hydro test.
Rick Knight (CMO), Gerry Bagley, Hans Brandes, Joe Monty, Mike Moulison, Rich Currie, Don Sanger, John Roppel, and Bill Piche were in attendance. In addition, Brian Snyder spent the afternoon volunteering his time fixing the wind-damaged engine house roof with John. Also, Sharon Barber was on hand prepping one of the open cars for painting. Finally, Shawn Cavaretta was on site, working on Car 22. The Car 22 Project is still in need of financial support; please contribute!
Left to Right: Bill Piche, Gerry Bagley, Don Sanger, Rich Currie, and Rick Knight.
In the morning, Trainmaster Arthur Hussey conducted a rules training session for crew in attendance. Thank you, Arthur.
Soon after, Hans, Mike, Rich, Joe, and Bill rigged up several lengths of garden hose to fill number 4's tank. While waiting for the tank to fill, the group loaded work flat 105 with ties for the new runaround track in front of Building 7. The flat is now fully loaded.
Once the tender was filled, Joe and Rich performed a boiler wash, and then Gerry, Mike, and Bill replaced the belly plug, mudring plugs, and closed up the handhole in the cab. We then filled the boiler with water while Rick instructed all those interested in making a new copper ring for the dome.
Hans made the lunch run, and we ate in front of the engine house. The group admired the progress of John and Brian who spent the day patching together the roof. They are even installing new plexi-glass panels to allow for better lighting!
Brian Snyder working on the damaged roof with the Steam Team in the background.
After lunch, Bill and Don lit a small wood fire in Number 4's firebox to warm up the boiler prior to the hydro test. Before long, the boiler was full, and Hans and Joe put the dome cover back on. Rich and Mike set up the pump for the hydro, and it was show time.
The hydro test did not go as smoothly as we hoped. We first noticed a leak from the packing gland on the throttle, and then at about 45 PSI the dome cover developed a significant leak.
Disappointed, the crew moved quickly to try to determine why these two gaps were not sealing. Rick, Hans, and Joe went right to work on the dome while Gerry and Mike worked on the throttle leak. We were forced to drop the water level and pop open the handhole in the cab in order to gain access to the throttle packing.
We believe the issue with the dome ring has been resolved, but difficulties with the throttle packing gland and a tired crew forced us to call it quits before we could try the hydro again.
May 5th is our next work session. We will try the hydro again, and hopefully we will be able to once again have steam on the Maine Narrow Gauge!
I think it's important to note that Russ Page sent a long a piece of piping that he machined in his shop at home for the steam supply to the lubricator. The MNGRR Steam Team relies on the financial contributions and volunteer hours of support in order to keep our steam engine's on track. Maintaining antique locomotives can prove quite expensive. We have the ability and the manpower, now we need the financial contributions of our supporters. Please visit our donations page!
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