Has the Lackawanna & Wyoming Valley Chapter, NRHS hired a new contractor(s) to work on #3713 or is the project still basically in a dormant state?

Frederick G. Bailey

Would be better for B&M 3713 if it were restored by NRHS chapter or Steamtown, than contracted out to another party?

Oh Mr. Bailey, you had my hopes up when I saw the title of this topic, lol.

Last I heard, Steamtown was putting all their efforts in finishing 26, then turning the focal point on 3713. Haven't heard anything yet of a hiring.

I will check with the shop but I think I heard they are waiting on the new crown sheet to be made so really not much to report but I will check.

We're waiting for several components of the firebox, manufactured off site, to be returned. We are weighing options for contractors as well. By the end of the year both of the above should be squared away.

www.project3713.com will be updated in mid October with the latest doings.

Dave Crosby

I suppose most NRHS chapters are unable to underwrite a particular locomotive, but what this group has done is quite an initiative. If railfan groups or historical societies from various parts of the nation might undertake similar ventures, we might see a great rebuild program for specific engines at Steamtown.
As a National Park, this would allow communities from all over the continent to see a small, but vibrant part of their history come alive.

Website is updated. Got the info from Dave on Railfan.net

http://www.project3713.com/

Quite a bit has been accomplished. Thank you!

Wow, sure a lot of cracks. That's not a nickel steel boiler is it?

I was glad to review the 3713 website and see the work that has been done.

I'm amazed at how much of the boiler needs to be replaced or redone. It would seem that a new boiler would be better than trying to repair this one. I'm sure that was considered and determined not to be the best or cheapest course of action.

There's a very long road ahead before this nice Pacific will be warm again.

A big Thank You to all those working on the 3713, and for the dedicated web site!

Stephen

Wow! This makes the $250k boiler overhaul on 4-6-2 S.P. 2472 look like a small job - and it sure wasn't that way to us! (We installed new lower firebox side sheets, new superheater flues, and new tubes, and did the complete 49CFR230 inspection ["Form 4"] and certification).

Query - was B&M 3713 boiler built with one of the boiler-grade alloy steels popular in the 1930s (stronger - saved weight) that often - but not always, it depended on water quality, boiler pressure (250+psi much worse than 200psi), and other factors - proved more prone to cracking than plain carbon steel boiler-grade plate?

- Doug Debs

Hello All

Thanks for the kind words about the website. Since I'm no boiler maker or machinist, it's the best way I could help out (even though I'm no web guru either). We (the NRHS) wanted to dispel rumors that the project was dormant or scrubbed, since nothing is further from the case. We expect all of the firebox components/sheets to return in the next few months, and the roof sheet is supposedly on its way back as we speak. The goal is to have as many finished parts as possible on hand when NPS crews finish work on the 26 this year.

The L&WV Chapter is closing out the finances on the 2010 convention, which ran well into the black. A substantial portion of this money will, I'm sure, be put into the 3713. We're also looking at running a few excursions of our own at various locations to continue the fundraising process.

As for the boiler material, I haven't heard of any special alloy in this case, but others could chime in. I'll have to find out.

Dave Crosby

Thinking out loud, she is going to be a great example of a first class restoration. Thanks for the update.

Dave,

L&WV is to be applauded for taking on this project. The tireless fundraising and dealing with the grant writing and award processes that have yielded some of the funds can be thankless work but is entirely necessary to keep a project rolling.

Great work!

Best,
Mike