Grapevine's Puffy is back in steam

Howard P. · **Posted:** Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:37 pm

During WW2, the PRR built a number (at least 20) of fabricated welded cylinders/saddles for M-1 4-8-2s. There have been some reproductions of articles about this; the photos were not very clear though. Perhaps someone on this board recalls the article, in "Railway Mechanical Engineer", perhaps?

Howard P.

GaryDrag · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:15 pm **Posts:** 22

An individual on the Shortline/Industrial Rail News Yahoo group posted the following information about the repair:

Quote:

"I was just up at Grapevine and the big doors were open in the engine house.
I walked in to check 2248 out. The shroud was still off of the repaired
cylinder and I could see where part of the repair was made.
A little later one of the GVRR guys walked by. I asked him how it was going
with her. Seems that she has now met the requirements and passed the tests,
and will make her first Stockyards run on Saturday the 20th.

I asked him if the sleeved both cylinders to keep things equal. He said they
line bored the damaged (left) cylinder and sleeved it to match the size of
the right cylinder. The old left piston was cracked from the damage, so that
piston was replaced. They put new rings on the right side piston as well
during the repair.

A few pictures that I took of the repair are here at my Flickr site.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valentine-photography/sets/72157623471094899/

Paul

Dave · **Posted:** Fri Mar 12, 2010 11:51 pm

Interesting....the boring would have removed some of the thickness of the casting they repaired, thus weakening it all over......but the strength of the sleeve could make up for it. I don't see any reinforcing rings shrunk on the OD of the flange......they must have a lot of faith in their welding procedure, and in the quality of the original casting.

Good luck, guys.

dave