Tag Archives: firebox

Rear Tube Sheet Installation

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Jim Connor reports on the installation of the rear tube sheet:

“Most of the job was done by Bob Ristow and welder Jeff Lund. The basic job was to reassemble the plywood template and see if it would fit through the front of the boiler, slide down the barrel and tip in between the throat sheet and fire box sheets. This worked and gave us the close assurance that the real sheet would do the same. It did. Sounds simple. The actual job of getting the sheet into place was NOT simple but went better than we expected. Next a hanger was welded inside the steam dome. A comealong was attached and used to lower the sheet into its final resting place. After some fitting the sheet was tack welded. More fitting is needed and sections of the firebox side sheets that have been cut out replaced. Next will be beveling the sheets and butt welding the tube sheet to the side sheets and crown sheet. The bottom will be riveted to the mud ring.”

Jim Connor photos.

May 14-15, 2005 Work Session Results

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Doug Crary reports:

“Is it Denver Gardner or Gardner Denver? What ever! Doug Klitzke into Boo to get gas, Jason and Bob Jackson on R-1 to remove bell. Jason, Doug Klitzke and Bob Jackson finished the staybolts on the wrapper sheet. Dave B. and Ed Ripp started work on the firebox supports for the heat treating. Some parts by Petebone, other parts on track one south of the house. Diesel work was essentially completed. Future work ID’d and scheduled. 2 small bottles of acetylene MT. We had to use Ricks large bottle.”

Jason Sobczynski photos.

March 5-6, 2005 Work Weekend

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This last weekend was most productive, also as we had a very nice crew hammering down staybolts and cleaning out holes in the throatsheet preparing them for welding. Betsy Zonnerville, Bob & Kevin Reihl, Mike Wahl, John Sorrel, Doug Crary, Dave & Bryon Schumacher, Al Hill, Chris Thompson and Kelly Bauman were there to lend a hand. Many staybolts were hammered down and the telltale holes were drilled clear to finish part of the firebox repairs. The staybolts are what hold the flat steel sheets of the firebox together against the pressure of the steam and water in the boiler. The throatsheet is the very front of the firebox that helps make the transition from the rectangular shape to the cylindrical shape of the barrel. The staybolt holes there are being filled with weld and will be drilled out to be threaded when the new rear tubesheet is fitted to the inside of the firebox/boiler. Once again, saying thanks doesn’t seem adequate but WE ARE DOING THIS!

Paul Swanson photos.