Wasatch Railroad Contractors recently returned form a two week trip to Schaffhausen, Switzerland where work is on-going with William Cook Rail No. 141 R 568 (ex-SNCF). The purpose of this trip was to make significant progress in repairing a section of the lower portion of the front tube sheet. It was required that WRC make the repair to Swiss specifications.

As a result, WRC went through a certification process and has just obtained EN (European Nations) welding certificates. Wasatch has qualified under a number of disciplines and has qualified three procedures. The three procedures allow for any type of repair or new-construction welding in countries that recognize the EN credential.

Once WRC was able to satisfy the certification requirements, the replacement part was fabricated as two pieces by local shops in Switzerland (the tube plate portion and the knuckle portion that is riveted to the boiler shell). The two pieces were then fit up and welded together by WRC. The whole part was then inspected prior to final fit-up and installation.

Several other repairs have been made to the locomotive over the last several months, and we anticipate the locomotive will be under steam very soon. The locomotive will be required to travel out of Schaffhausen within about a month to be fitted for new cab signaling equipment as required by the SBB.

With this new credential hanging on the walls of WRC, we are now fully qualified for repairs and or new construction in Europe and the USA. I stand to be corrected; Wasatch Railroad Contractors is the only steam locomotive repair facility in the USA and possibly, Europe that holds and maintains such credentials for both geographic areas. We will receive in a short time current copies of both the German and Swiss Boiler codes. Wasatch is an international contender when it comes to boiler repair work.

More information about this and other projects can be found at our website http://projects.wrrc.us/

Excellent news Congratulations, let me know when you get the certification for welding Cherry and Poplar please.

Mike Pannell

Excellent news and a fine accomplishment, John.

I'm reminded of the visit of Flying Scotsman back about 40 years ago, and wondering what the chances might be for international mutual recognition of EU and US codes such that something similar might happen again?

dave