http://ngdiscussion.net/phorum/read.php ... msg-131975

...says it's just the smokebox, not the main boiler courses. Sounds like good news.

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

I am aware of the difference between a smokebox and boiler course...having replaced both ;) I am going off of the numbers THEY wrote on the boiler shell. The first course seems in fair shape, the second and third course or the issue.

Are we all on the same page and talking about the same locomotive here? Several parties have given that boiler a good going over, and all came up with the conclusion that it needs replacing. Did it heal itself just by sitting in MI and CO for several years?

Now don't burst my bubble and tell me that one can get a UT instrument to do what can be done with a radar gun--- give a "desired" reading, rather than an actual one. "Say it ain't so!"

You-Know-Who, who had considerable involvement with 148.

Jason - I respect your opinion and I am confident you know your way around a pressure vessel. I was just reporting what was posted elsewhere. I was not sure if you saw a picture (like I have) or actually stood next to it. Sounds like you were right there. Thanks!

Mike Stillwell
Buena Vista, VA.

I have a few memories of this thing from the time it spent parked next to the now-demolished former AA backshop in Owosso. Being an oil burner it had no ashpan, so it was easy to take a self-guided tour of the firebox. To remedy the thin side sheets, someone had installed a partial new firebox, but had assembled it with square corners. I can't remember how they transitioned the corners to the part of the firebox that hadn't been replaced and still had radiused corners. Maybe a lot of weld. They did use a lot of weld to replace a rusted-off flexible-bolt cap, simply gobbing it onto the sleeve and the exposed ball-end of the staybolt. It spent a few more years in the quaint environs of the old PM enginehouse at Traverse City, where I looked in on it a few times. I don't think anyone there touched the boiler, although I was told by its handlers that inspectors had pronounced it in fine shape. But I stopped believing everything I hear some time back.

Aarne Frobom
Flanneryville, Michigan

http://www.mchugh4macklocomotive.com/148.html

Some interesting photos of 148 while at New Hope. There is also some discussion as to what may or may not happened while she was under repair.

Interesting photos, brings back many memories.

148's side and main rods were cleaned and zinc-plated during the 1974 work; that shows quite well in the photos.

After being lifted off her drivers, the engine sat on cribbing for a time, without the pedestal binders being re-applied. There did not appear to be any adverse affects to the frame/pedestals from that, although it's not good practice to leave them off for extended periods.

148 was a strong engine after that work at New Hope, and put in 4 more good years before other problems caught up with her. I would be surprised if she ever steams again.

Howard P.
Nylatron, NJ