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 Post subject: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:39 pm 

Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:20 pm
Posts: 211
Anybody have an update on the Medco #4 Willamette restoration? Last update (2012) showed rebuilt boiler installed and engines being installed. Any news?


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 3:27 pm 

Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2011 11:23 am
Posts: 436
Location: Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
I'm a long way from there now, but still get their newsletter. They continue to work on the engine with the eventual goal of operating it locally.

Sorry I don't have anything more specific.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 6:56 pm 

Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:20 pm
Posts: 211
So, sounds like they have already used up at least 5 years of their 15 year ticket.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:49 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:51 pm
Posts: 2041
Location: Southern California
Is that the boiler shell or the boiler with the tubes? It's one thing to rebuild the shell and another thing to begin putting the tubes in.

My understanding is that the counting begins with the installation of the first tube.

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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 9:18 pm 

Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm
Posts: 2226
train guy wrote:
So, sounds like they have already used up at least 5 years of their 15 year ticket.


The flue/tube/boiler accreditation? That doesnt start till its fully inspected.
The inspectors will look over and check the boiler, make their suggestions it needs something, and be back later when work gets done. They did that with IRM's decapod.
Its running happily now.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 11:27 pm 

Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2010 2:06 am
Posts: 329
First off Part 230.17 includes:

Quote:
In the case of a new locomotive or a locomotive being brought out of retirement, the initial 15 year period shall begin on the day that the locomotive is placed in service or 365 calendar days after the first flue tube is installed in the locomotive, whichever comes first.


And the rest of Part 230 can be read here: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/search/pagede ... ycord=3078 mld


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 12:01 am 

Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2013 7:20 pm
Posts: 211
From what I read on their web site, tubes and superheaters were installed and hydro tests were done by the boiler contractor in 2012 and witnessed by an FRA inspector. Sounds like the clock is running to me. Last web site update was also 2012.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:54 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 05, 2005 2:46 am
Posts: 148
Location: Elko, NV
Sometime in the last six months or more several pieces of the #4 were at Stockton Locomotive Works. I remember seeing a few details of the work and the parts being shipped back to Medford on one of my rare visits to Facebook.

Jeff Moore
Elko, NV


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:04 pm 

Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 1:09 am
Posts: 146
Location: St. Louis, MO
Are there any new updates regarding the restoration of Medco #4? It will be really exciting to see a second Willamette up and running (considering how rare they were even during the steam era).

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Chris H.

- Diesels are boxcars with an engine, but steam is an iron horse.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 11:56 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 8:31 am
Posts: 1310
Location: South Carolina
SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:
Are there any new updates regarding the restoration of Medco #4? It will be really exciting to see a second Willamette up and running (considering how rare they were even during the steam era).


There was actually an update about this posted to Facebook today in the "American Steam Locomotive Restoration Groups & Projects" group. Several photos of no. 4 inside a shed are included, and it looks to be in very good condition. According to the poster, the restoration is nearly complete. The superheater needs to be installed, some cab work remains, and the drive train needs to be reassembled. If that's all accurate, hopefully we'll see it in steam in the near future.

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Hugh Odom
The Ultimate Steam Page
http://www.trainweb.org/tusp


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:31 am 

Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2013 1:09 am
Posts: 146
Location: St. Louis, MO
whodom wrote:
There was actually an update about this posted to Facebook today in the "American Steam Locomotive Restoration Groups & Projects" group. Several photos of no. 4 inside a shed are included, and it looks to be in very good condition. According to the poster, the restoration is nearly complete. The superheater needs to be installed, some cab work remains, and the drive train needs to be reassembled. If that's all accurate, hopefully we'll see it in steam in the near future.


I saw that about the time I posted this. It's excellent to hear that the locomotive's restoration is still proceeding well. Is there a website documenting the restoration? Where do they plan to operate the Willamette once it is finished? I'd like to know since I've only just found out about this restoration.

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Chris H.

- Diesels are boxcars with an engine, but steam is an iron horse.


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 Post subject: Re: MEDCO #4
PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2018 4:21 am 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
SteamEnthusiast4000 wrote:
Where do they plan to operate the Willamette once it is finished?

I saw somewhere where Rogue Valley Terminal, a 14 or so mile short line connecting to the Central Oregon and Pacific (G&W) just north of Medford, was a possible option for operation, but I don't know that the railroad was ever consulted or gave its approval. I can't see G&W letting them run on the Siskyou Summit line, even though that would be really impressive. Yreka CA is around 50 miles away, and the Yreka Western, which used to run steam-powered excursions, is still there, though its ownership is in a state of flux right now and it has been dormant for several years.


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