Just a neat picture of one of the siphons taking shape. Sent to me by one of our contractors on B&M 3713 in Scranton, dated yesterday 3-1-12. What is especially "cool" is that EVERYTHING you see here is new material.



Dave

http://www.project3713.com

I'm going to guess when she is done there will not have been such a complete steam rebuild since the 1950's.

Fixed. ;-)

It really is amazing how much of that boiler has been replaced. Is there any particular cause behind all of the cracks, for example that seem to have formed everywhere on the boiler, or is this normal wear and tear? Also, it sounds like there were some engineering issue with the boiler.

What's the goal for the restoration? Operation or just a really thorough cosmetic restoration?

Jason S. can chime in with more technical info, but as for the engineering...

As I understand it, during the course of service, the B&M changed the size of the staybolts & holes from the original specs. After boiler calculations were reviewed, the sheet thickness and staybolt spacing (as it sat with B&M changes) would not meet today's Form F requirements at full boiler pressure.

As for the cracks, I'm not sure as to the true cause, but I know the steam dome and boiler check patches have been fabricated.

Dave

From what I understand, this is strictly for operation. If you research a picture of one of her sisters in the glory days, you will see one of the prettiest New England locomotives to have hit the rails. Thank goodness she was saved from butchering.

Glad to hear that. I thought it seemed like a lot of work for a static museum piece.

Not trying to open up a can of worms but, how in gods name is it cheaper to do all this rebuild work, vs. a brand new boiler?

Nova 55,
Think Tornado & 3802 problems only on a larger scale,
Also part of Steamtown's mission is to keep the techniques used in locomotive shops alive. This is what the locomotive would have received during a heavy overhaul had the B&M stayed with steam power, new boiler's are fine too, but this is a restoration effort, not a design and replace program. My personal opinion, having been involved with the boiler survey, is this is the correct course for this locomotive.
Mike Tillger

Realize also, this is a full firebox rebuild. Other than some cracks, I believe the boiler is in decent shape. Others could say better, but as far as this picture goes, this is a brand new firebox, minus the door sheet and the throat sheet, I believe.

Ultimately, this will be the long term distance steamer in Scranton. One can hope she'd be allowed off site to stretch her legs ala' express service. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong (I get corrected when I'm right, too), this restoration involves only money from her sponsor, not the Feds., is that so? If true, I wonder what the contract looks like, and if Steamtown would allow adoption for full restoration of other locomotives? What would be on the plate, I wonder?

Might it be that Steamtown with alternate the CPR Pacific, the CNR Mikado, and the B&M Pacific, as well as the Baldwin 0-6-0, somewhat like Strasburg does today? Steamtown will finally have a set of steam locos that might have been found in Maine in the 1940's!

I believe they do get federal grants, but in general, I don't believe Steamtown itself is providing funding. Of course I might be wrong as well

As of right now, with the exception of the firebox, what still needs to be done?

Hi All

The mid 1990's rebuild of 4960 was quite extensive leaving only the crown sheet in the firebox and the boiler received new side sheets. UP 844 received a new firebox and numerous other repairs so this type of work has been done since 1950.

Robby Peartree