Once I get roller bearings fitted onto the B&O X-45 wrecking derrick, my next step will be to remove the vertical fire tube boiler and have new tubes installed. I don't have the tools or expertise to do this job, and as I don't feel like blowing myself to kingdom come at my young age, I would rather find someone with the proper qualifications to do the boiler work. Can anyone suggest a shop that would do this type of work for us? The boiler would be shipped to their shop along with the new tubes which we have on hand. As far as I know the boiler shell is in good shape, but another part of the work we would want done is a complete inspection of the shell and staybolts.<p>I also need one grate replaced. I do have one that could be used as a pattern. Who could do this work? <p>Thanks.<br>



bighookx45@aol.com

There are three companies I can think of off hand that do this kind of contract work. Strasburg Railroad, Grand Canyon Railroad, and Diversified Rail Services (http://discover-net.net/~steam/pages/drs.html). You can also check out "The Ultimate Steam Page" at the included link. I'm sure you will find something close to you there.



Ultimate Steam Page
robsterne@hotmail.com

Rick,<p>You do not need a locomotive boiler specialist to do your steam-crane boiler. Any qualified boiler-repair shop can retube it. This is one job you can actually use the yellow pages to find someone for.<p>But keep calling until you find a boiler shop with people who go back to when vertical fire-tube boilers were common. While you have the tubes out, you will want it inspected by someone who has seen this kind of boiler before, and knows what particular kinds of deterioration your boiler may be susceptible to. You will probably find yourself doing other work besides tubes, and should budget accordingly.<p>Once you get the boiler ready for new tubes, retubing is actually one of the few boiler jobs that can be done by practiced volunteers, provided they get the right advice on the tools and methods to use. The old tubes can be removed by any careful torch artist.<p>Aarne Frobom<br>Michigan State Trust for Railway Preservation, Inc.<br>P. O. Box 665<br>Owosso, MI 48867-0665<br>



froboma@mdot.state.mi.us