Rear Tube Sheet Template Constructed

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Jim Connor reports:

“On Friday the 24th, Doug Klitzke, Ron Kokemuller and Jim Connor worked on the template for the rear tube sheet. First a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood was cut in 5 sections. The sections were assembled, rough cut, than disassembled to fit in the boiler. Sections were than reassembled in the boiler and held firm with wires to the firebox sheets so an outline of the outside of the tube sheet could be made.

“On Saturday the 25th Mike Wahl joined us to finish the marking of the tube sheet template. Unassembled template will be shipped to a contractor in Tennessee. The contractor will make a new tube sheet for the boiler.

“The rest of Saturday was spent drilling 2- 1/16” holes in the front tube sheet. Also we continued reaming rivet holes in the boiler courses.

“Al Joyce ‘Stud Guy #1’ installed the first two studs. Another mile stone!”

Jim Connor photos:

Doug Crary photos:

Bob Ristow photos:

January 14-15, 2016 Work Session Update

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Al Joyce reports:

“Just a work update on this past weekend. In short we made progress in the positive direction.

“Jim Connor and Ron Kokemuller drilled out the front tube sheet with the pilot holes (170). They did not do anything about cutting the larger holes because the core drill was only 2 inches instead of 2 1/16. One of the holes has a broken drill bit in it. That hole was marked for future work.

“Ed Dench worked on the smoke box by grinding the heads of the flush rivets. They look good. One may need some work as it did not fully fill the hole.

“With the combined help of Bryon Schumacher and Jim Connor, we got many more studs sized and installed in the boiler. They are in only hand tight so they can be removed. The boiler is starting to look like a porcupine with all the studs sticking out. Jim took some pictures so we hope to get them on the web site soon. With the help of Jim and Bryon we have doubled the stud crew membership. All the Stud Guys are qualified to work unsupervised at a pace that is comfortable to them.”

Jim Connor photos.

November 26-27, 2005 Work Weekend

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Bob Ristow reports:

“Taking advantage of the heat being on in the shop, Jim Baker, Carla Larsen and myself worked most of the week between santa trains and finished removal of the smoke box ring and rivets. Laid out the front flue sheet, worked on the new ash pans, cleaned the shop a little and took photos and dimensions of various WC&C #1 parts. These included the check valve flange and deflector, smoke box front and door, and ash pan assembly.”

Wheel Center, Driving Boxes and Smokebox Removal

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Work on welding WC&C #1’s driving wheel centers is nearly complete and the tire will soon be reinstalled on the driver. Rick Peters has been working on this phase of the project. Offsite work includes the machining work done by Dave Wantz in the Twin Cities on the new driving wheel boxes. Dave has been carving out three new boxes from solid blocks of steel. “It has taken a great amount of time, patience, and skill,” remarks Pete Deets. During Pumpkin SpecialTM weekend, Bob Ristow and Jason Sobcyznski led a team to remove the old smokebox. They also began scarfing rivets on the front flue sheet in preparation for its future removal.

Smokebox Removal and Replacement Progress

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Pete Deets cut off the rivet heads holding the old smokebox to the boiler shell on WC&C #1 in preparation for removing the smokebox for replacement with the new one. Bob Jackson followed up by grinding down each of the cuts. This makes the rivets easier to drive out and will also reveal where more cutting may be necessary.