I was recently at the TVRM and got to look at Sooithern 4501 being restored. I asked the tour guide when they thought she might be complete and they were very hesitant to give an answer.

It has been my understanding that they are pushing hard to get her finished before her 100th birthday in October. I have also heard that they are working to get her active asap for Norfolk Southern's 21st Century Steam program.

Has anyone else heard any information about a timeline for 4501?

I think the most appropriate communications along these lines occurred when someone at the Strasburg Rail Road years ago chalked three-foot-high letters on the side of the boiler of then-under-overhaul N&W 475 which faced the parallel highway:

"DON'T ASK WHEN!!!"

4501 will come out when it's good and ready, and not before. If there's an official target, that's between the owners, the lessors, and the contractors. You don't want to announce trips beginning in October (made up for example) if there's any chance replacement flue or staybolt material may be delayed or prove faulty (again, made-up possible flaw).

I am so glad to hear that our tour guides are not broadcasting any completion dates for the 4501. Since we just got started on the overhaul, it is way too early to even think about a completion date. Right now our focus is on firebox renewal and ordering all the material needed to complete that effort. We've barely touched the machinery and we expect lots of discovery items there once we get the wheels out from under her.

4501 is a prime example of why you can never estimate up front what it will take to overhaul a steam locomotive. We had completed the UT examination and all the calculations as required. That had identified a certain scope of work for the boiler. However, our history and operational experience with the locomotive told us that there may be far more work needed in the boiler than what the inspection and calcs told us.

To start the overhaul, we first removed the door sheet to gain access to the waterside of the backhead. Once the backhead was blast cleaned, our worst fears were confirmed. The backhead was eat up with cracks. The entire sheet would require replacement.

Once the backhead was off, we noted large numbers of staybolts for the side sheets that had major body erosion adjacent to the side sheets. We also noted that the geometry of the crown sheet was incorrect. The crown was much wider than it should be resulting a narrowing of the water space at the top of the side sheets. We also noted a number of other defects that lead to the decison to renew the entire firebox.

At some point, someone is going to question if we should have had a new boiler built. We did stop to analyze this question once we knew the entire firebox needed renewing. We firmly believe, for the conditions in play here, that we've made the right decision.

As always, I'll try to post an update on progress. But for now, let's just say that we're just getting started. Our goal is for the 4501 to roll out in as good of shape as her little cousin, Ks-1 630.

Any idea how old this firebox or various parts of it are?

I would buy an old staybolt or other piece of the old firebox if you decide to sell souvenirs! To me and presumably many fans, 4501 is not just any engine.

Steve

Thanks for the info. I can't wait to see 4501 when she is finished. You guys did a wonderful job on 630, it was a pleasure riding behind her, even for the short distance to the shop and back. I always enjoyed riding behind 610, but there is something special about riding behind an actual Southern Railway locomotive.

Even my wife, who is not really a railfan commented on what a pretty locomotive 630 is.

G. Mark-

Just curious, but with the operation of 630 this year, have the museum's numbers been up appreciably at all? I'm interested in what effect the the return of a beloved engine has to your operation.

Thanks

Matt Bumgarner

While I don't know any official counts, from the head end it looks like numbers are a good bit better and certainly the railfan population is higher.... Seems like it at least brought a few more out from hiding haha

I'm just wondering is Norfolk southern corp. help fund the 4501 project. and will there be contractors to help speed it up like when 261 was restored in 1992-1994

No job on a steamlocomotive ever goes as easily or as cheaply as even the most optomistic person thinks it will. Too many places you just can't see to evaluate in the boiler that nothing can find better than human eyes.
1522 could use a lot more work than most people believe.