Apologies if this has already been posted, but the 4-4-0 Leviathan is back at the Illinois Railway Museum for three weekends starting this weekend. Photos of its unloading and operation thus far can be found here:

http://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/

It will be visible the 27th and 28th on the museum's webcams and will also be operating June 2nd-3rd and 9th-10th. The latter weekend is the museum's RPO Weekend with demonstrations held throughout the weekend, often by former RPO workers. More info and photos at http://www.irm.org.

Frank, how is the IRM Steam Team progressing with the 428 and 1630 among other steam projects?

Rob Gardner

Plus what about the other steamers that are also waiting in line for Overhaul, like Tuskegee Railroad #101, Commonwealth Edison #5, and Graysonia Nashville & Ashdown #26. I heard rumors that they can be next in line once the Shay, 1630 and UP 428 are finished. Plus others I heard like Chicago, Burlington and Quincy 4-6-0 #637 could be restored if funds are obtain to rebuild the firebox or even Detroit, Toledo and Ironton 4-4-0 #16 with restoration to operating condition with again obtain funds to restore the worn out boiler and firebox.

Also I see some of the steamers that use to be in the open yard next to Barn 9 have been moved inside Barn 9. Are the plans are to one day have all the steamers that are still outside on display to eventually move indoors for protection from the weather?

I watched some of the discussions, 1630 has been thru several hydroes and fra inspections, each inspection session revealed another something needed to be done,
I think there was a minor firebox issue and some exterior appliance needing attention, they did have a test fireup last year, its probably closest to ready but the saying goes...when its done.

They were working on the engine last fall when it was time to bed it down for the winter, hopefully progress gets made this year.

I'll take a stab at this as a loyal follower of the IRM blogs. The 1630 is down for its 15 year FRA inspection. The tubes have been removed and the boiler has been sandblasted. About 70% of the ultra sound has been completed with the rest scheduled to be done next Saturday. So far everything looks good. The cracked section has been cut out, a patch fabricated and the area around it is nearly cleaned up and just about ready for the patch to be welded in.

IMHO, I think getting the 1630, 428 and the Shay going will be about all that the steam team will be able to handle. And that should be plenty for the service they provide.

Their blogs are pretty amazing to read. Every week they accomplish a tremondous amount of work yet there is so much more to do. It gives you a good idea of just how labor intensive steam locomotives are to restore and maintain, especially in this era.

Thanks everyone for the replies. After I posted the question, I realized I could probably answer my own question by checking out the IRM website. I would agree with Charlie. The Steam Guys probably have all they can handle getting 1630 and 428 finished. They've been at it with the 428 for many, many years so I'm sure it will be very satisfying to get her done. It almost sounds like 428 might get completed before 1630. Both will be welcome additions to the US preserved steam roster.

Rob Gardner

I do not speak for anyone but...

I don't think that last assertion holds water. 1630 is a fully functional locomotive down for a tube job (along with the patch). Get it put back together, tested, anomalies corrected, inspected, lagged, jacketed, etc. and out the door she goes.

428 has an approved boiler. Most of the rest is yet to come, including dropping the drivers.

More likely you will see the Shay back on the road before the 428. I don't recall what it needs other than the completion of the tube job.

Steve

Thanks for the clarification Steve. I wasn't aware that the running gear on the 428 hadn't been touched yet. Nor, did I realize that 1630 was that far along. I thought they had done some work to some/all of the driving boxes already as well as the boiler work underway. At any rate, I'm sure you guys will be psyched to get some regular steam running there at IRM. 1630 has been such a hallmark of IRM over the years.