Bob and Dave have built a crane to lift and position the front tube sheet for the WC&C #1. We test drove the crane last week.
Welding on the rear sheet continues as well as work on the frame and running gear. During Snow Train™ weekend, riveting the mud ring was started.
Bob Ristow devised a drilling guide to ensure alignment of the replacement staybolts in the crownsheet patch. Here are a few pictures of Bob and Dave Lee drilling pilot holes for the staybolts.
On Friday, Pete Deets, Bob Ristow, Ron Kokemuller, and Jim Connor cleaned up around the boiler and other area’s in the shop. Pete, Bob and I spent some time on the project plan and timeline to make sure we are keeping everything happening in the order we should be.
On Saturday, Roger Hugg, Bob and I worked on measuring and documenting the frame and frame bolts so drawing can be made for replacements. Al Joyce worked on tapping boiler stud holes and installing them. This is a time consuming process because they are taper fit and each one must be fitted to the hole. Ron worked on enlarging the holes in the boiler mounting bracket that attach to the firebox.
Kyle, Jim Busse, Ed Ripp and Jim worked on the power car boiler. On Sunday they continued to install tubes in the power car.
On Sunday, Al continued on the stud work. Things are moving along well.
–Mike Wahl
Bob and Dave continued to clean on the frame today and have it for the most part completed. There are a few spots that might need a little touching up. They also completed assembling the last set of shelves in the box car and started stocking them. Bob said that the box car is looking very nice inside and with the addition of the shelves it gives us a lot of room for storage of WCC#1 parts.
Cleaning WC&C #1’s frame.
Today, Dave drilled the mudring holes in the rear tube sheet, side sheet patches and the rear corner patch. The 3/4” tack bolts were installed. The next step is to pull the sheets tight and check the sheets for gaps between the sheet and the mudring. If any unacceptable gaps existed, the sheets will need to be flattered into position. Jeff will be next week to start the welding on the rear tube sheet.
Bob worked on needle scaling the frame and cylinder casting. He still has a ways to go to complete this. The next step will be start checking the frames for cracks.
