You could lift the boiler off the frame, remove the pilot truck, unbolt the cylinders from the frame and remove them and you STILL couldn't get to the broken steam passage. Back in the early 1990s when Steve Sandberg was trying to decide on a locomotive, 2156 was briefly considered. First, you need to understand that making large welds in cast iron is not a pleasant, or particularly reliable thing. Secondly, even with the cylinder casting removed from the locomotive, the welder would be working at arms length in a confined area where he would not be able to see the work face because his arm and torch would be in the way. A very talented welder (ASME certified) looked at the situation, laughed and said, "Don't waste your money".

So, assuming that you really, really wanted 2156 to run again, you'd probably be stuck following the same route that ASTA did, having cylinder castings made, machined and installed. And I would be truly astonished if MTM could raise that kind of money.

I don't perceive that there's any particular commitment at MTM to running steam. If a running steam locomotive were dropped in their laps they might run it, but maintain it? I'm pretty sure it'd meet the same fate as NP 328 did.

[quote="steaminfoSo, assuming that you really, really wanted 2156 to run again, you'd probably be stuck following the same route that ASTA did, having cylinder castings made, machined and installed.[/quote]

Or fabricated, we have options. Still, what's the point?

dave

Dave is right about fabricating vs. casting. Also, are the cylinders cast iron or steel? If cast steel, perhaps outer parts of casting (cylinders, valve passages) could be re-used with fabricated center sections to get a decent repair. Otherwise, if the boiler (and running gear parts) from 56 is better than 53's, then do a swap en masse. Railroads did this sort of thing all the time, and chances are both of these engines have many parts from sister locomotives in the same class.

Sorry to hear the 2153 is no longer inside. Both of the Pacifics and 328 were inside Jackson Street last summer when I went by for a visit. Surely do have some neat stuff there. Wish the operating part was adjacent for you guys, as that would be an awesome deal to have roundhouse with a railroad. At least there is still a very live connection to the rest of the world to get you back and forth from there to the operating location.

Best,
Mike

To clear things up,BOTH 2153 AND 2156 are stored indoors. 2156 is disassembled, off its wheels, but the boiler is still on the frame. Unfortunately, the roundhouse stall it occupies does not have the infrastructure or clearance to lift the boiler off the frame. All of this is not insurmountable, but with $$$ short, nothing will happen until we can get 2156 back on its drivers.

Does this engine have oil cellars and babbitted crown brasses?

It was not my intention to hijack this thread from it's original subject, so I will make one more comment.

NP2156 is on cribbing, high enough to roll the drivers away from their homes and remove the boxes and brasses. The locomotive cannot be raised high enough to remove the drivers from under the frame. MUCH work remains to be done on the front and rear trucks and all of the suspension components before she will be back on her wheels again and be able to move at all. As for the main bearings, they are plain brass lubricated with hard grease.

If anyone has additional comments or interest in the MTM's Q3's please feel free to message me.