Saving the Stoker!

Faller? · **Joined:** Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:57 pm **Posts:** 106

There is a "Complete" Franklin Stoker at the Railroad Museum of Pa setting outside on the ground; does anyone know anything?

I know there are many other things there that need saving, but the stoker is "Low Hanging" Fruit; a forklift and a truck or a couple of tarps; getting to the point were money can't buy this stuff.

Paul J.

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

That stoker was deaccessed a couple of years ago to the Nashville 576 group.

whodom · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:59 am

You can even watch a series of videos on YouTube showing the overhaul of the stoker engine by Keith Rucker of Vintagemachinery.org.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... 9PrmYIP8Fo

Richard Glueck · **Posted:** Wed Jan 22, 2020 11:05 am

Since the stoker is on museum grounds, shouldn't this discussion have started with RMPA?

G. W. Laepple · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:10 pm **Posts:** 1182

What makes you think this was not approved by the RRMPA?

Rob Gardner · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm **Posts:** 576

Hugh,

I had no idea Keith had gotten in to the restoration of Nashville Steam's spare stoker engine. Just watched the first three installments. Fascinating. I've watched some of his other machinery restoration videos, primarily on cleaning and restoration of lathe Chucks.

Rob Gardner

Ed Horan · **Joined:** Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:30 pm **Posts:** 92

The YouTube machinist community has joined Keith Rucker of VintageMachinery.org in this restoration. Brian Bloc (bcbloc02) has finished boring the cylinders on his big horizontal boring mill. The stoker engine is currently sitting in Adam Booth's (Abom79) shop in Florida for some more machine work.
Keith was provided with the necessary specifications and drawings of the stoker engine to complete the work in a proper fashion. This is quite a rebuild. the engine was in sad shape when Keith started the dis-assembly. I've been enjoying watching it's progress.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Thu Jan 23, 2020 12:50 pm

Rob Gardner wrote:

Hugh,

I had no idea Keith had gotten in to the restoration of Nashville Steam's spare stoker engine. Just watched the first three installments. Fascinating. I've watched some of his other machinery restoration videos, primarily on cleaning and restoration of lathe Chucks.

Rob Gardner

Keith's videos are my moments of zen. Seriously some of the best stuff out there.

Faller? · **Joined:** Fri Dec 27, 2019 5:57 pm **Posts:** 106

Since I do live in Pa but some distance from Downtown Ronks and have known that the stoker has been in the elements for about 4 years up to this past October, I thought I'd make some inquires; I've also watched the videos and if that's the same unit, I'm glad it in capable hands!

Paul J.