The D&R #9 team will be having a volunteer session the weekend of 9/25 and 9/26. The start time is 10:00 am on Saturday, 9/25. We will be doing inventory, degreasing drive wheels under the boiler, and continuing to prepare the loco for paint and winter projects. All are welcome, so come on down to lend a hand.
D&R #9 Gets Steam Cleaned
STEAM is rising from the D&R #9 once again!!!. Yes…you read that correctly, steam was seen coming from the #9 during a second volunteer session July 24-25, but this time the steam was produced by J&W Services LLC. Using high-pressure water at temperatures around 250 degrees, the tender and locomotive were thoroughly washed and degreased.
Many thanks to Fletcher Reiman, Jerry Huntington, Steve Pahl, and Frank Fisher for helping to prep the engine on Saturday by wrapping steam lines, removing air hoses, and re-applying grease/oil where necessary. The next volunteer session dates are To Be Determined, as we coordinate with vendor for sandblasting and painting.
Update provided by Jason Reiman.
Prep Work
Preparing the D&R #9 for pressure washing. 
Pre-pressure washing prep work to protect some parts of the locomotive.
Pressure Washing
Equipment for the day’s pressure washing. 
Pressure washing the D&R #9 with steam. 
The crew from J&W Services pressure wash the D&R #9 with steam.
The Results
Tender trucks after steam pressure wash 
Some bare metal exposed on D&R #9’s tender tank after receiving steam pressure wash. 
D&R #9 after steam pressure wash. 
D&R #9 driver after steam pressure wash. 
D&R #9 driver after steam pressure wash.
1385 Update: Branch Pipe Donuts and Grate Bearers
Branch Pipes Follow-Up
In our January 2021 Update, it was discussed that one of the upcoming tasks was to create “donuts” to insert between the branch pipe and steam chest and between the branch pipe and superheater header. That task has now been completed.
These spacer donuts are needed to adjust for minor manufacturing size differences and space variations between the new and old components. The donuts needed to each be custom made to be steam tight and to properly position on both ends of the branch pipes.
Detail view of lower end of 1385’s fireman-side branch pipe with “donut” extender. 
Another detail view of the lower end of 1385’s fireman-side branch pipe with “donut” extender. 
Top of C&NW #1385 branch pipe (black) on fireman side. A “donut” is being created to permit a steam-tight seal between the branch pipe and superheater header. 
Top of C&NW #1385 branch pipe (black) on engineer side. This side will also be receiving a “donut” to close the gap to create a steam-tight seal between the branch pipe and superheater header.
Reconstructing the Grate Bearers
If you have a home fireplace, you know that you don’t place logs directly onto the floor of the fireplace when burning. For better combustion, the logs are usually placed on a metal grate which props the logs up and allows air to more easily flow underneath the logs and helps feed the fire with more oxygen, allowing it to burn hotter. This same concept applies when firing a steam locomotive – the grates on a locomotive are just larger and more complex, allowing the fire to be manipulated by the locomotive’s fireman.
The grates are rectangular cast iron pieces with many holes through them that form the floor of the firebox. That cast iron floor holds the coal as it burns so the locomotive can generate the heat needed to boil the water for steam.
As you look in from the firedoor there are two rows of grates that run from the front of the firebox to the back. Each row of grates is about half the width of the firebox so the dividing line (front to back) is the centerline of the firebox
The grates are set on – and held in place by – the grate bearers. The grate bearers were originally cast iron brackets with a row of pegs to hold the end of each grate. There is a row of pegs that runs down each side of the firebox, front-to-back, and then in the center there is a bridge that runs front-to-back with pegs on each side to hold the inside end of both rows of grates.
In the mid-1920s the grates were somewhat redesigned and in the later 1920s the Chicago & North Western’s repair procedures documented on the drawings said to weld the new pieces in place. During this locomotive rebuild, Mid-Continent is doing the C&NW one better and is making the new bearers an all-welded assembly. As can be seen in the photos the old bearers have been eaten away by the very corrosive nature of the ash and repaired by weld.
Close-up view of one of the old grate bearers. An old weld repair is evident. 
Portions of the old grate bearers have been eaten away by years of service inside the harsh and corrosive environment of the firebox.
In these photos, the web portion of the new side bearers have been machined and are ready to accept the pegs that will be welded in place to hold the grates and lay beside the originals they will replace.
Comparison of one of the old and mostly-complete new lower side grate bearers. 
Another view comparing the two mostly-complete new grate side bars versus the old side bar. 
Comparison of the two mostly-complete new grate side bars versus the old side bar. A Chicago & North Western Railway drawing dated August 26, 1932 with detailed dimensions is seen in the background.
The old center support is not in horrible shape but has been modified and repaired over the years. The main web of the new center support has been tacked together to allow for fitting into the firebox. Once it had been trimmed to the proper length and height the pegs will be welded in, a plate along the bottom edge will be welded on and the bridge support pieces will be added to make a complete assembly.
A photo from the 1990s showing the interior of 1385’s firebox with center grate bearer. The grates from the near (engineer) side have been removed and placed atop the grates on the fireman side. 
Current view of the center grate bearer being test-fitted inside the firebox. This view is looking toward the rear of the firebox. The circular cut-out is for the firedoor where coal will be shoveled into the locomotive.
View inside C&NW #1385’s firebox looking in the direction of the rear tube sheet. Photo taken in the 1990s. 
Current view looking toward the rear tube sheet and front-left corner of the firebox. The center grate bearer which runs lengthwise down the center of the firebox is shown being test-fit prior to permanent installation.
D&R #9 July 10-11, 2021 Work Session Report
We had an A-mazing session working on the #9 this last weekend. The locomotive looks very, very different, as we removed the grab irons, sand dome, base of the steam dome, and her bell for restoration of those parts, but also to increase exposure of the boiler for future cleaning and painting. It wasn’t all stripping of parts this weekend, as we did reinstall the smokestack. So she still does look a little like a locomotive. Thanks to Ed Ripp for his excellent operator work on the Lull. And thanks again to our regular crew of Steve, Frank, Mike, Jay, and of course Fletcher, for making it an enjoyable and safe job. The next volunteer session is set for July 24-25, so come down and lend a hand, bring some young members family, or friends.
Update provided by Jason Reiman
Getting ready to remove items from the boiler. 
Prepping the repaired smokestack for installation. 
The Lull forklift begins lifting the repaired smokestack for installation onto D&R #9. 
Volunteers place the smokestack on #9. 
Volunteers attach lifting straps to the #9’s sand dome cap. 
Removing the #9’s bell. 
Partially disassembled sand dome. 
Continuing to take apart the #9’s sand dome. 
Removing components from the #9 for cleaning and repainting.
D&R #9 June 2021 Progress Report
Last month Dardanelle & Russellville #9 was finally moved to the end of the track to allow our team easier access with heavy equipment. Our team had a productive volunteer session the last weekend in June where we were able to separate the tender from the locomotive. This will facilitate easier access for washing, painting, and other restoration projects in those hard-to-reach places. Steve Pahl met with different vendors to discuss power washing and painting, and we have #9 scheduled for a wash at the end of July. We also removed all old running boards and set up temporary boards. The old stack has been repaired and delivered. Thanks to all that came out to help. A good time had by all.
We have 2 volunteer sessions scheduled for July: 10-11, and 24-25. We hope you can make it.
Update provided by Jason Reiman
Volunteers use manual car movers (large levers) to move D&R #9’s tender away from the locomotive. 
The #9’s youngest volunteer, Fletcher, shows the size of the locomotive’s recently repaired smokestack. 
The D&R #9’s tender after separation from the locomotive. 
D&R #9 volunteers pause for a picture during the June 26, 2021 work session. 
D&R #9 progress overview photo. July 8, 2021. 
A working platform and steps have been added to allow easier access into the cab for further restoration work.