I will definitely be making a trip to Chattanooga to see her broken in. :)

A random thought--It's interesting to contemplate the age and size difference between this beloved 4501 and UP's 4014. . .and for that matter, the Gramling's tank engines. . .and all have in common flanged wheels and propulsion by water vapor. . .and the smells of steam and oil and coal (at least until the 4014 gets its conversion). . .

Congratulations to TVRM (and UP and the Gramlings and . . .)

Thanks Mr. Ray for posting this update, and please keep them coming whenever you have a chance. Please pass along my thanks to the restoration crew. Also, I was wondering when will the issue of trains magazine featuring your story be available to the public.
Thanks,
Austin Bryant

Awesome update! Thank you.

The Facebook page for 4501 also had additional pictures posted to it last night...equally as cool.

I like the close-up of the new rotating end cap bearing on trailing truck...and all the other stuff too.

When was 4501's last boiler overhaul?

Steve

Ummmm........now? RTFT.

dave

The 4501 had major boiler repair/tube work done in 1983-84. The 4501 had minor boiler work done and tubes in 91-92. 4501 last under steam in 1998.

Just of good measure you should check out youtube.com for video from 1985. For anyone that might doubt pulling ability due to the ever present diesels...4501 can pull a good size train. Can't wait to see the finished job.

I was just curious how many times that incredible welded-inside-the-boiler drypipe could have been replaced when the front end was out, was carefully inspected, and deemed good to go for another round. One reason perhaps was because, per the Trains article, the original was ¼" thick while the replacement was ½" thick. An amazing accomplishment.

Excerpt Trains September 1976. Article by David P. Morgan.

They elected to cut up the collapsed pipe and remove the sections through the dome; and to replace the old pipe with a new ½-inch-thick pipe, lowered through the dome in 57-inch-long sections and welded together inside the boiler. The work went on until 8 p.m.

Monday. April 26, Picture as many as seven men lying atop the flues in the Mike's boiler, gritty scale showering down their necks, their acetylene torch consuming so much oxygen in those cramped quarters, that an air line had to be fed into the boiler. This continued until 2 a.m. Tuesday.

Tuesday, April 27. Work was resumed; the crew didn't knock off until 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday. April 28. The work was finished, the boiler was tested, the improvisation was pronounced O.K.

The 1976 feat reveals the dedication of the men who made the Southern Steam Program work back in the day. I've often wondered how they did the work.

The front tube sheet was renewed in 1984 and that required removal of the superheater header. As I understand it, the dry pipe was inspected then and deemed to be satisfactory for continued service. The current restoration work did not require removal of the header and our inspection also revealed no issues except for the angularity that was fixed with some heat and a properly placed porta-power.

I've attached some pictures that I took yesterday. The application of Thurmalox to the boiler is complete and wedge machining is nearing the halfway point. If all times out right, the wedge machining will finish just as the assembly of the spring rigging and painting of the frame is completed.

The story about 4501's life as revealed from her shop and boiler record will be published when she returns to the rails.

Thanks so much for the update. The work being performed is just beyond words, and I can't wait to see her back under steam. Great job!