Swanton 1913 Arrives in Cheyenne
Wasatch Railroad Contractors is pleased to announce that the Swanton Pacific Railroad (http://sprr.calpoly.edu/) has elected to install new boilers on what could be all of their historic locomotive fleet. This monumental project begins with Locomotive 1913. This beautiful 19 inch gauge 4-6-2 Pacific has been out of service for a number years. Having had some boiler repairs made and owing to the fact that even more repairs were needed, the staff at the SPRR has elected to make a big step in terms of preservation by having new locomotive boilers built.
Here we see 1913 being loaded into a twenty foot steel container or a long ride to Wyoming. The locomotive and container left California on Friday, April 9, 2010 and arrived on in Wyoming on Monday, April 12, 2010.
WRC visits 2472 for Operating Weekend
WRC wishes to congratulate the Golden Gate Railroad Museum on the return to steam of 2472 for the 2010 season. WRC was on hand to aid in final preparations for season opening runs on March 25-26, 2010. 2472 also made a late evening run under a nearly full moon. The 2472 did a great job and experienced no mechanical defects. 2472 had minor boiler work performed in early March 2010 by WRC. The teams of both GGRM and WRC work very well together and as such, the two groups were able to make repairs and have 2472 ready for the late March events. Support the Golden Gate RR Museum by riding behind 2472 at any of their upcoming events. http://ggrm.org/
141 R 568
WRC crews have spent a great deal of time in Switzerland working on 141 R 568. Although the Zürich-Bern excursion in late 2009 was generally a success, the 568 did encounter a few problems. WRC is working to repair such items as the feed water heater system, some minor boiler repairs, and more. We expect 568 be back out and running for early fall and possible mid-summer excursions behind the Swiss Classic Train operated by William Cook Rail, GmbH. Some additional photos of a recent two-week trip by a WRC team can be found at http://projects.wrrc.us/?p=525
WRC's Ryan Haberkorn is seen here working on a patch section for the smokebox of 141 R 568.
Recent volcanic events have kept us from getting back over to Switzerland recently, however, now that things seem to be returning to normal, we will hopefully be able to move forward with this work and provide more updates as they become available.
Clover Valley No. 4
WRC is aiding the volunteer forces at the Niles Canyon Railway/Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA) with some boiler repairs to the Clover Valley No 4. Recently a new portion of the front tube sheet has been installed. Though not finished, PLA plans to have a very involved work session on the locomotive in May 2010. If you want to learn more about volunteering at the PLA feel free to contact them. http://www.ncry.org/
What about the Cagney Project?
Four boilers for Cagney Class "D" locomotives are concurrently in production.
WRC has finished assembly of the prototype Cagney boiler and in turn started fabrication on other identical boilers. These boilers will be built concurrently to save on production and inspection costs. Yes, that's right, all of these boilers will be ASME "S" Stamped Code boilers when completed. Additionally other work is progressing to fabricate new riding cars that will complement any of these locomotive when complete.
Stay tuned for more news on these and other Cagney locomotives.
WRC 2010 Show Schedule
WRC has already attended several railroad and hobby shows this year, including the Cabin Fever Expo, model train shows in Ogden, UT and Denver, CO, as well as the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association convention earlier this week in Orlando, FL. We are planning to attend several other steam-related shows this year, including the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion, the Rough & Tumble Threshers Reunion, the Tourist Railway Association annual convention, and possibly the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions Expo. For detailed dates and locations, please refer to the posting on our web site: http://projects.wrrc.us/?p=525
... Any questions? We'd love to discuss...