ASR had another productive work session Saturday at the West 3rd St. roundhouse in Cleveland, OH. The following volunteers attended Saturday’s work session:
● Gordon Hartschuh
● Steve Harvey
● Russ Swinnerton
● Forest Nace
● Craig Madonna
● Rick Owings
● Tiffany Saultz

Contractors
● Dan Pluta

Saturday proved to be an interesting and challenging day. Preparations began to remove the oil tank from the tender. The steam piping and electric cable were removed from the top of the tank and fittings installed for a salvage company to drain the oil and remove the tank. It appears that four anchor bolts can be removed and the tank should be able to be lifted out. The drawbars, drawbar pins and keepers were brought inside the roundhouse to clean them up and test with dye penetrant. The main pistons were pulled completely back into the cylinders so inspection of the cylinder walls could be done. Dan Pluta started an inspection of the running gear and will continue with that next week. We removed the safety valves, and installed the hydro test caps. The test pressure gauges are installed and the dynamo was put on the workbench to be cleaned up and tested. The dynamo ran smoothly, it was checked out, and the governor adjusted for the start up voltage.

The work schedule took a slight detour today. The water level in the boiler was about 5”-6” from the top of the boiler so we started to top off the water. A little time later, we found water in the pilot valve of the throttle body. Upon closer investigation we felt the water level had never reached the dry pipe cap so this is indicating we have a dry pipe leak which is likely the elbow coupling just below the steam dome. To try and stay on schedule with the hydro test next week and since it has to been done anyway, we decided to go ahead and lap in the throttle valve so it would seal closed. Disassembly of the throttle valve occupied the remainder of the day. The valve heads were opened and the pistons removed. The valve pistons needed some machining which will be done by next Saturday morning when reassembly can take place. Tools and parts have been ordered to help in reassembly. To keep on the hydro schedule, we plan on spending a day or two insulating the firebox, building a stand for the heater, making a cover plate for the stack, and doing some of the machining of the bolt studs, installing some that came out, and generally preparing the throttle body casting for assembly. We will start warming the boiler on Friday and prepare everything for maintaining water and pressure in the boiler and completing the hydro test. When the machined pistons for throttle arrive Saturday, we will lap them in as quickly as possible and reassemble the throttle. If all goes as planned, we should be able to start the hydro test by early afternoon.


Sincerely,

Rob Gardner
On behalf of Gordon Hartschuh, ASR Crew Chief

Wasn't aware of how fast you guys are moving along on this project. I'm assuming the coal bed in the tender needs to be completely rebuilt because of the tank, or did they actually do something right and save it when they put the oil bin in?

- Christian B.

Christian, these aftermarket fuel bunkers are generally fabricated to fit the existing coal bunker size and space so as to save on any unnecessary modifications to the existing structure. I believe that is the case with 2100's tender.

Thanks,

Rob Gardner

good luck with the test!

I know you #2100 guys are truly busy, but any way you could post more pictures of the throttle body and throttle valves? Never worked on big steam or have I really looked at a throttle body like this. I would find this quite fascinating and sure a few others might find it interesting. Looks a bit more complicated than what I am used to dealing with in the past. Thanks for the update. Tried to come over and volunteer on my way to TN earlier in August but timing was off for the volunteering to materialize. Best to you and the crew. Regards, John.

Don't know if they'll get some pix up or not, but until then, something to look at:

http://rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34612

How did the firebox ultrasound turn out? Also what happened to Jason Sobczynski being the contractor?

So far, the UT testing has not revealed any troubling findings. Regarding our contracting decisions, ASR has chosen to take a different direction at this time. We wish Jason all the best in his various pursuits and endeavors in the steam industry as he is very knowledgeable when it comes to steam locomotive work.

Rob Gardner

Folks, we also wanted to make everyone aware that our mechanical advisory committee recommended that we focus on lapping and fitting the throttle valves to make sure they are seating fully and properly before we perform the initial hydro. As such, we will likely reschedule the hydro for two weeks out. The heater system is set up and ready to go to preheat the boiler water as soon as we get the throttle back together. We are also going to examine the dry pipe a little closer as we have some concerns about the elbow in the steam pipe in the dome area.

We can't be too careful and are not going to cut any corners in this process. There is only one way to go about this work. Thisbl work also moves at the speed of money, so if you feel so moved, please visit www.fireup2100.org to learn more about you can support our efforts to return the class engine of the Reading T-1s to active service.

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner
ASR Chief Engineer

For your future hydro tests I would consider making gags for your safety valves. We made gags to simplify the prep time for the test. The FRA has no issue with using gags for the annual.

Steamfinder, you are correct regarding gagging the safety valves for an annual. We chose this time to remove the safeties and make sure the threads were ok. Maybe a little overkill, but as we found with the multiple throttle valves, you never know what surprises may be lurking beneath the surface.

Thanks as always,

Rob Gardner