Got a tour of the shop up at Steamtown yesterday by Mark Birtel, Exhibit manager, and he gave me and two of my troops a awesome tour of the facilities. #26 has been being worked for 5 years and is now ready to go back together. Here are some of the pics we got. Mark really needs volunteers to help get this engine back together. My troops and me are looking at going up in the next few months to help out about 12-15 of us. They have all the parts ready and just need some hands to get this girl together. The tender is being worked right now--needs a new tank bottom. They were jacking the side and top off to replace it.


Cab ready for paint!

Stay bolts done!


chassis is straightened and the wheels are ready!


Front end of the boiler. This was made in the shop.


Firebox is done!!!!

What was wrong with 26?

Len.

I believe the technical term was "worn out"

It was down for one of the big inspections, someone knows which one, so Steamtown decided to do a complete fix everything that is bad or looking close. So they are hoping she will be in good shape for many years too come. In the military when we fix stuff on the aircraft that is close to being bad its called "preventive maintenance".

So after this is completed, does this mean that the 3713 project will get more time and attention devoted to it? I'm assuming there are only so many hands to go around, and they've been tied up with #26?

Finderskeepers, We got the tour of that too! They are working on that one at the same time. We watched as the mud ring?, was being replaced. Mark has two guys dedicated to 3713. The boiler is in good condition except for a crack under the steam dome. They are waiting for engineers to determine the best repair. If they can get more help up there, they could have 3713 under steam by 2010 for the convention. The auxillary drive is done and it works! The boiler tubes are good and the springs have been replaced. Again the firebox was shot but they are working on that next after the mud ring.
They are working as fast as the can before next year on 26 because I can't remember which on the Canadians is coming down for its big inspection next year. So they want to get 26 up before they start that.

2317 is do for her 5 year.
It be nice to see a US built engine, working up there besides #26.

Len Shaner.

Looks like some nice work being done on #26, interesting about the crack near the dome on 3713, didn't 1361 have a similar defect that needed repairing?

Doesnt look to me like all the stays are in, maybe all the flexibles are however. Thansk for the report.

WalterS, The day we were there they were getting ready to install the upper stay bolts? to the firebox. Looks like my squadron is going up the end of the month to help.