Hi everybody,I am new to this list, so please excuse me if I am asking a question that may have been asked (and answered a hundred times already).I am interested to know what repairs were done on the boiler on UP 844, more specifically relating to the firebox. Does anyone have any detailed information on this work that can be shared?Was the firebox made as per the original, or were there some "changes" made to it in the rebuilding?Best regards,Bruce Rankin

The incident at RailFair was traced to the flues - the metallurgy in that batch was off (I don't remember the details). The Durango & Silverton used flues from the same batch, and ended up re-flueing two or three locos as well. Since the flues were coming out, Steve Lee decided to replace the firebox in the locomotive. He considered assembling the firebox, cutting off the backhead, and sliding the fully-formed firebox in from the rear, but eventually decided to assemble it in place, piece-by-piece.As far as I know, the firebox design is per the original blueprints.JAC

Thanks for the information on the flues and the basic information on the firebox.Do you happen to know which firm did the fabrication work for the flanged plates for the firebox?Does anyone know whether the manufacture of the flanged plates, assembly of the firebox and installation was photographically recorded?Can anyone on the list actually confirm that the new firebox plates were made per the original blueprints?I am assuming that all the firebox work was done in UP shops. Can anyone confirm this? Does anyone know how I can find out?The reason that I am asking all these questions is that I am interested in locomotive boiler technology and what is actually being done these days to continue the boiler manufacture process. I have 30 years experience in the boiler industry, including many locomotive boiler projects. Any information on this subject will be appreciated.

I would contact Steve Lee directly at the Cheyenne steam shop. I believe that I have his Email address, which I would be willing to provide if you contact me off list.

Hi Bruce - Matt Austin and the Hawaiian Steam Engineering team were involved in the UP work. Might be worthwhile to get in touch with them. What sort of boiler work do you do?dave