We have just completed construction of a new “S” stamp boiler for a Frick traction engine for a local enthusiast. All design work was done by the Strasburg Rail Road, to make a welded code boiler that fit in the same space as the original riveted boiler. The boiler is 30-1/2" in diameter, by 12' 10" long. The staybolts are traditional hollow threaded bolts with seal welded and driven ends.

Work the Colorado Railroad MuseumÂ’s engine #346 is beginning to hit its stride, with boiler work and repairs to the frame and driving boxes under way. Repairs on the EBT #15 are also well underway to make the engine Park 230 compliant, as well as more mechanically reliable.

We have also recently completed making a new lead wheel set for a 2-8-0 under restoration in the mid-west, and four new wheel sets for a pair of 3' gage passenger trucks that we will be building. A steady stream of form 4 calculations continues to cross Linn and RickÂ’s desks.

We have just begun a project of making several parts of a Walschaert valve gear for a locomotive where the originals were missing. I will post photos as we complete these parts. We have been hired to build another code traction engine boiler that will commence in the spring.

As everyone has already heard, #89 was just restored to her late CN look for a John Craft charter freight. John was a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to more of his charters in the future. #89 has just started her annual today, so anyone who wants to see her, will have to wait until spring. #31 is just finishing her annual, receiving the usual sort of work, the most significant being a new hollow 22" piston on the left side. Expect to see her on the train after New Years Day. #475, and #90 will take turns on the train until New Years Eve.


Strasburg Rail Road

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

what size is this Frick, and, although I consider the discussion of money to be borish and offensive.............about what does a boiler like that cost?

lorija799@aol.com

The boiler is for a Frick 9" x 10" traction engine.

Cost will vary according to method of construction and desires of the customer. Most new firetube boilers are built strictly to the code which is now at a 3.5 safety factor. Old boilers were built to a FS of 4 and had a 7500 psi stress limit on staybolts - just like steam locomotives. This requires twice as many bolts as the new code (with an adjustment in sheet thickness).

For a boiler that is properly designed and built with no "shortcuts" taken in documentation or construction, $30,000 is probably minimum.

Strasburg Rail Road
linnwm@supernet.com

> The boiler is for a Frick 9" x 10"
> traction engine.

> Cost will vary according to method of
> construction and desires of the customer.
> Most new firetube boilers are built strictly
> to the code which is now at a 3.5 safety
> factor. Old boilers were built to a FS of 4
> and had a 7500 psi stress limit on staybolts
> - just like steam locomotives. This requires
> twice as many bolts as the new code (with an
> adjustment in sheet thickness).

> For a boiler that is properly designed and
> built with no "shortcuts" taken in
> documentation or construction, $30,000 is
> probably minimum.

Linn, out of that 30k, how much represents actual boiler construction costs, and how much for the creation of a paper trail? I know that it is one thing to build a safe boiler, but being able to prove it is another.

> Linn, out of that 30k, how much represents
> actual boiler construction costs, and how
> much for the creation of a paper trail? I
> know that it is one thing to build a safe
> boiler, but being able to prove it is
> another.
I really can't say specifically what the paper costs are as they can vary from project to project. If there are other jobs in the shop requiring an AI from the inspection agency, the cost can be less as a flat day rate is usually paid for the inspector, regardless of how many items he is inspecting. Depending upon the inspector's hold points and timing, this can be a couple thousand dollar swing. If the boiler is a "standard" design the paper costs are less. I would say that you can count on 10% as a minimum in administrative costs to have a paper trail that will hold up under scrutiny - particularly down the road if it is reviewed by people who had nothing to do with the project.

Strasburg Rail Road
linnwm@supernet.com

Linn,

I assume that the State of Colorado is the Inspecting Authority on the boiler your are repairing for the Colorado Railroad Museum.

Do they have to come all the way to your shop to look or is there a local person who can do the inspection for them?

Ted Miles

ted_miles@nps.gov

> Linn,

> I assume that the State of Colorado is the
> Inspecting Authority on the boiler your are
> repairing for the Colorado Railroad Museum.

> Do they have to come all the way to your
> shop to look or is there a local person who
> can do the inspection for them?

> Ted Miles

Ted,

The state of Colorado is the jurisdiction and they go by National Board guidelines. Our inspection agency is Hartford and we use a local inspector. Ideally we don't even need to talk to Colorado, however we are keeping their inspector in the loop at all points so that everyone is constantly on the same page (hopefully).


Strasburg Rail Road
linnwm@supernet.com

> The boiler is for a Frick 9" x 10"
> traction engine.

> Cost will vary according to method of
> construction and desires of the customer.
> Most new firetube boilers are built strictly
> to the code which is now at a 3.5 safety
> factor. Old boilers were built to a FS of 4
> and had a 7500 psi stress limit on staybolts
> - just like steam locomotives. This requires
> twice as many bolts as the new code (with an
> adjustment in sheet thickness).

> For a boiler that is properly designed and
> built with no "shortcuts" taken in
> documentation or construction, $30,000 is
> probably minimum.

Linn,
What engines will be running during this month?


huhnkids@adelphia.net

> Linn,
> What engines will be running during this
> month?
Most likely 475 and/or 90.

linnwm@supernet.com