What does a FRA boiler rebuild entail what do you have to do to to certifies it

Here are all the FRA regulations covering steam locomotives.

http://frwebgate2.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bi ... n=retrieve

The FRA regulations govern what must be done. The FRA does not certify anything.

It is the responsibility of the boiler owner/operator to "certify" their own boiler, which simply means completing the work required (whatever has to be done to attain the level of compliance) in order to properly submit the required forms and phone call to the FRA.

How much work needs to be done, and to what parts/portions is specific to each boiler. One boiler may be nearly "ready to go" while another may need "complete redo" from the ground up.

If you need to ask, I'd say the answer is get an appropriately certified person to evaluate your specific situation..

[quote="superheater"]If you need to ask, I'd say the answer is get an appropriately certified person to evaluate your specific situation..[/quote]


Please elaborate on "a certified person".

Thanks

*chuckles*

In British English, "certified" has become a slightly more polite shorthand for "certified insane by the health service", or, in other words, crazy, bonkers, daft, batty, crackers, etc.

But I think the default on this forum is American English..........

Actually, we've had some real "certified" (in the British sense) post here from time to time. I think the point Superheater was making is if you are asking such basic questions about the code you are probably not going to be qualified to simply read the code and start rebuilding your local park engine. Find someone with someone who has some experience with both the code and steam locomotives.

Second the motion on getting some expert advice.

Prepare yourself for a lot of work even before you can learn what needs to be done for any kind of rebuild, or if it is economically feasable at all.

Know why you need a running locomotive before you make one, with a plan in place that has been tested to prove its feasability before even thinking about turning the first wrench.

If you can't figure out how maing the engine run will pay for itself and if there are no willing partners to help make it happen, there's still a lot of good work to be done in preserving and cosmetically maintaining it.

dave

I am not certain that anyone in this industry has a certification except NBIC people. If we read the 230 we make certain that we use certified people for certain aspects of boiler work. The FRA leaves that up to us. In certifications we hire a code qualified welder or we certify a welder by using SMAW practice using coupons, tests and outside certified testing labs. We do have people within our industry who can look over a boiler, identify problem areas and then formulate a repair plan. These are the people whom we use. As far as doing all the math work to generate a new form four, the FRA would like to see a professional engineer doing and signing this document.

I know there are a lot of blanks between the lines and a lot that will be added by some very bright people who post on RYPN.

Peace
Bob K

Assuming you are just looking for information, and not trying to rebuild a locomotive in your backyard....

FRA rules require that you sufficiently disassemble the locomotive to allow a very complete inspection of the boiler shell. Generally this means you have to remove the lagging (and accessories, plumbing, jacketing in the way), remove the boiler tubes, then do testing to confirm the thickness of all boiler plates.

They you can make any needed repairs.

A new form 4 must be created. This is a set of engineering calculations based on the boiler material, thickness, boiler design etc... While a previous form 4 may help supply information for a new form 4, all the calculations are done from scratch... This is where the Pennsy K4 and the Long Island engines got into trouble... their boiler design/material thickness didn't meet current design standards.

If this is the first time the locomotive has been inspected under the new FRA rules you may have to do other work, notably installing a second sight glass

During the process you need to work with the FRA boiler inspector (and possibly a private inspector as well) to give his access to review the boiler and your work.

Assuming all is up to code you can reinstall the tubes, and hydro test the boiler (under inspector's supervision)

If it passes you can then reassemble the rest of the locomotive

Note, this doesn't include any running gear, accessories, or cosmetic work... The FRA does have some rules you may need to address for ditch lights, wheel thickness and profile, brake gear retention...

The FRA inspection and certification is pretty straight forward, but does include a significant tear down... the problems usually are in the work identified based on the inspection and engineering report (aka Form 4).