Hi.I was wondering how the work on this steamer is going.

steamtrain90@aol.com

> Hi.I was wondering how the work on this
> steamer is going.
hi i don't have a clue. but you can try www.williamsgrovesteam.org or contact .at 717 766-4001. bb

> Hi.I was wondering how the work on this
> steamer is going.

It took a couple of days to get an answer but here is the latest from the Grove.

The bottom of the smokebox is bolted down to the cylinder saddle and they have sawed through the lower frame chord behind the rear axle. This member was cut in two places on both the left and right sides and welded. They raised the back of the frame about 4 inches and have a 3/4 inch spacer in the cut. Also, there was a spacer that was bolted between the frame chords on the left side. The original probably broke and they welded up a substitute which broke loose from the bottom and the bottom chord sagged down at that point. They have installed a new spacer which is helping hold the rear end up. More measuring and figuring are required to find out what else is wrong.

Since no mention was made of progress on the boiler I assume it is still sitting outside the boiler shop waiting its turn. It was removed from the 643 several months ago. All of the metal for the repairs has been purchased but apparantly no work has started.

They are also searching for donations to complete the work. If anyone is so inclined send them to the following address:

Save the 643
Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Assn., Inc.
P. O. Box 509
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

I hope this answers your question.

John Bohon



jhbohon@yahoo.com

> It took a couple of days to get an answer
> but here is the latest from the Grove.

> The bottom of the smokebox is bolted down to
> the cylinder saddle and they have sawed
> through the lower frame chord behind the
> rear axle. This member was cut in two places
> on both the left and right sides and welded.
> They raised the back of the frame about 4
> inches and have a 3/4 inch spacer in the
> cut. Also, there was a spacer that was
> bolted between the frame chords on the left
> side. The original probably broke and they
> welded up a substitute which broke loose
> from the bottom and the bottom chord sagged
> down at that point. They have installed a
> new spacer which is helping hold the rear
> end up. More measuring and figuring are
> required to find out what else is wrong.

> Since no mention was made of progress on the
> boiler I assume it is still sitting outside
> the boiler shop waiting its turn. It was
> removed from the 643 several months ago. All
> of the metal for the repairs has been
> purchased but apparantly no work has
> started.

> They are also searching for donations to
> complete the work. If anyone is so inclined
> send them to the following address:

> Save the 643
> Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine
> Assn., Inc.
> P. O. Box 509
> Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

> I hope this answers your question.

> John Bohon
Hello I forgot to add the grove has a steam show labor day weekend. They are about 10 miles south of harrisburg, Pa. off rt15. Also the group at kinzers, Pa. on rt 30 about 8 miles fromStrasburg rr. has a steam school this weekend. There show is aug.18-21. A lot of the steam traction engine groups run steam schools. That cover how to operate and maintane and repair boilers. If you want some hands on steam it would be a good place to start at low cost. For more details see steam traction mag. or the show directory it has almost 500 pages. See www.steamtraction.com regards bb

> Hello I forgot to add the grove has a steam
> show labor day weekend. They are about 10
> miles south of harrisburg, Pa. off rt15.
> Also the group at kinzers, Pa. on rt 30
> about 8 miles fromStrasburg rr. has a steam
> school this weekend. There show is
> aug.18-21. A lot of the steam traction
> engine groups run steam schools. That cover
> how to operate and maintane and repair
> boilers. If you want some hands on steam it
> would be a good place to start at low cost.
> For more details see steam traction mag. or
> the show directory it has almost 500 pages.
> See www.steamtraction.com regards bb

The railroad at Williams Grove should be operating again this year for the show. They have a small 4 wheel diesel that will be pulling the train. This is actually somewhat of a rare oppertunity. If I recall correctly a few years ago the board of directors decided that no passenger trains would be operated with anything other than steam power. When the 643 is finally repaired the diesel may not be allowed to pull the trains so if you like seeing the critters run this may be your chance.

John Bohon


jhbohon@yahoo.com

Hello All:

I'm a member of the group at the "Grove", and I just thought I would chime in here.
First of all, 643 has her own page (I keep it up, so feel free to send me comments!) with some pictures of the work in progress, and of the boiler lift from last September, go to http://www.williamsgrovesteam.org/643 I have not gotten my camera out there for a while, so I need to get some more up to date pictures posted, perhaps next week.

What was posted by others is pretty much accurate, the boiler is off, and is waiting it's turn at the boiler shop near Lancaster PA. The new smokebox bottom is on. We cuts to the frame have been completed, and we are in still the in process of getting it where we want it. As was said in the other posts monatary donations are always welcomed, needed. (and very much appricated) and if anyone wants to get their hands dirty working on a steamer, and all of our other equipemnt, track etc, we always welcome new faces. Besides the steam show in the fall when our Whitcomb #8 will be running (Sporting a former NH air whistle by the way) we are also considering holding a model train/railroad show to help raise some funds for 643's restoration, probably sometime in the fall. We are still very early in the planning for this, so I'll make a more formal annoucment here on this board when the time comes. I'd like to thank everybody for their interest and support from of all the people working on getting 643 back in steam. Hope to see you at the Grove in September!

Tom von Trott

643's Offical Web Site
prr643@hotmail.com