I guess it's time to provide another update on the 4501 rebuild progress. Let's start with the boiler -
The firebox work is complete. She's now had 100% of the staybolts and mud ring rivets replaced, around 97% of the firebox sheets renewed (two small areas under the rear tube that were renewed in 1984 were left intact), the backhead replaced, a flush patch installed in the right side exterior side sheet, the exterior throat sheet renewed, and a flush patch put in the dome course to replace a forge weld. All radiography has been successfully completed.
All the boiler studs and boiler fittings are applied. The tubes and flues will not be installed until she's back on her wheels. The fluorogold material arrived and was attached to the furnace bearers so the furnace bearers are now back in place. Finally, the new smokebox front is being fabricated using the same centerpiece pattern as 630 and 765.
Machinery work is in full swing. All the spring rigging is sitting on the shop floor. We found the front equalizer was frozen solid at the pivot pin which made it difficult to remove. The engine truck is ready for assembly once pins and bushes are returned from the heat treater. The driving boxes are coming along quite well. Hub liners are applied, babbiting installed, and final machining is underway. The shoes and wedges are being cast and should arrive just in time for machining.
I read with the great interest the earlier thread about the feedwater heater, stoker, color, and tender trucks. We have not been able to locate the drawings that show the installation of the Worthington system to the Class Ms locomotives (we have the drawing numbers) so we are relying on pictures to help up install the system as close to the way it was installed on her sisters as is possible. Same goes with the stoker system. Both of these systems are the same size applied to the Class Ms locomotives.
I don't want to rekindle the color discussion but I do want to offer this - according to the paint drawings, Southern Railway painted their steam locomotives according to the type of service they were in.
Lastly, personnally, I would love to see Andrews trucks under the tender. However, trying to modify the trucks we have to accomodate rotating end cap roller bearings and provide access to the lineside detectors was going to cost time and money. Remember, above everything else, it's all about the money. When there's only so much to spend, we have to make choices. I'd rather have roller bearings on the lead and trailing trucks instead.
Enjoy the pictures.
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File comment: Completed Exterior Throat Sheet Completed Exterior Throat Sheet.jpg [ 109.22 KiB | Viewed 8510 times ] |
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File comment: Completed Interior Throat Sheet Completed Interior Throat Sheet.jpg [ 98.87 KiB | Viewed 8510 times ] |
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File comment: New Smokebox Front being fabricated New Smokebox Front.jpg [ 102.33 KiB | Viewed 8510 times ] |
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