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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Sat Jul 20, 2019 11:14 am 

Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm
Posts: 567
Hamster,

To answer your question, yes, USS has chosen another contractor. I won't get into the why/what/where/how/when etc, namely because I don't know and will not speculate, but suffice it to say, the work is ongoing and the new crew is wanting to focus on execution and probably are leaving any PR up to the owner's of the project. This is yet another case of patience being a virtue, I'm afraid, lol. Rest assured that the project is in good hands all around.

Thanks,

Rob Gardner


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Tue Aug 20, 2019 12:11 pm 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
The Facebook page that had been reporting on progress on this engine stopped being updated in April. On August 15th, the below image was posted to that website. Looks like someone finally is willing/able to provide updates on this rebuild.

https://www.facebook.com/EngineNo148/


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:21 pm 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
As of yesterday (9/12/2019), their Facebook web page contained an update on this engine (the first since 4/1/2019).

https://www.facebook.com/EngineNo148/

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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 3:43 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:19 pm
Posts: 2557
Location: Sackets Harbor, NY
Please for us non faceplant users what's the gist of the article??

Thanks, Ross Rowland


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 4:04 pm 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
Ross - you don't have to have a Facebook account to view a public group. Just click on it and scroll down. I'm in your age bracket and have figured it out. BTW, I have great memories of my 1st railfan excursion in 1970 from Harrisburg to Horseshoe Curve and back behind 759. I think you were the engineer weren't you? Anyway, I copied the post and will paste it below for you and other Luddites.

After performing a test fit of the boiler and frame, the boiler was removed from the frame and placed onto shop trucks to enable riveting of the firebox mud ring. Given the geometry of the boiler in comparison to the location of the large driving wheels, it would have been impossible to drive the front corner rivets without having undertaken this high-flying act.


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 6:01 pm 

Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2016 7:05 pm
Posts: 270
After what was said previously about the stopped work and change of contractors, I went through the FB page and noted all the work evident from the posted pics for those who don't use FB. Looks like the thing will be good for the long term, and the list makes my budget estimating meter slam into the upper limits for a steam restoration (I wouldn't be surprised if it startled USS). Of course this list doesn't include things like inspection/engineering/test or smaller stuff like front end components (SH header is in), springs, braces and other appliance work we haven't seen. Also looks like the tender may be getting new ride control trucks.

New smoke box
New boiler first course
New firebox
100% stay bolt replacement
Throatsheet center patched
Wrapper side sheets replaced
New front flue sheet (welded in)
New Huron washout plugs (welded in)
New cast smoke stack
Main frame rear section deck/drawbar pocket replaced w/fabricated
Engine truck remanufactured at SRC w/new wheels and tires, AP RBs
Trailing truck reblt w/fabricated boxes, converted to AP RBs, new tires
New driver tires and hub liners, all new crank pins, quartered - TVRM
New driving boxes/hub liners/crown brasses
New side rods w/solid bearings
Pistons/rods turned, new rings
New piston rods?
New cylinder liners
New cast throttle/standpipe and valve
New crosshead guides
Two lubricators remanufactured
New cab, windows
New firebox door casting

New tender cistern (welded w/false rivet heads)
New oil tank
Cast tender frame rotted sections replaced w/fabricated sections, new drawbar pocket
Tender hand brake installed

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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 8:22 pm 

Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 5:19 pm
Posts: 2557
Location: Sackets Harbor, NY
Thanks WVNorthern. Yes, I was engineer on the eastbound legs of the Horseshoe Curve trips. Great memories. Glad you're well. Best, Ross Rowland


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 2:56 am 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
The focus now seems to be on using in-house labor wherever possible rather than outside contractors.

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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 8:15 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
148's mud ring has now been riveted, tubes and flues installed in the boiler, and her boiler mounted on the frame. Additionally, her crosshead has been installed and trammed, the new stack installed, and over 100 new studs applied to the boiler.


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 4:47 pm 

Joined: Sat Oct 17, 2015 5:55 pm
Posts: 2279
Updates:

https://www.facebook.com/EngineNo148/ph ... =3&theater
Caption to this photo: "Engine No. 148 is being coated in Thurmalox, a formula designed to withstand the 370-degree heat of the boiler, while also protecting her from moisture and condensation."


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 7:27 pm 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
Their Facebook page hasn't been updated since Nov. 27, 2019. I wonder if the restoration is stalled or US Sugar has changed contractors yet again. Anyone know what's happening with this engine?

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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 9:10 pm 

Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm
Posts: 6400
Roger -

Checking out their website, the cab has been put back on and other things done up to that November 27th entry. That is only slightly over 2 months ago. I think progress is being made. A gap of 2 months and a week, is not really significant in my estimation. We have had other reports on restorations that are MUCH longer.

Les


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Mon Feb 03, 2020 10:43 pm 

Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2015 7:28 pm
Posts: 545
Location: Northern WV
Les,
You may be right but earlier in November there were updates every 2-5 days and total silence since then.

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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 1:24 am 

Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 1:25 pm
Posts: 6400
WVNorthern wrote:
Les,
You may be right but earlier in November there were updates every 2-5 days and total silence since then.


Roger -

Okay, I see. A difference in the PATTERN of their recording of progress. Yes, that might indicate a change. If it was me, I think I'd still wait a bit longer to see what might develop. But perhaps someone might have some knowledge. The engine sure looks a lot better these days than she has for quite some time.

Les


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 Post subject: Re: FEC #148 Rebuilding
PostPosted: Tue Feb 04, 2020 6:55 am 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
Or it may be that they're keeping things quiet because their annual big event, the Clewiston Sugar Festival, is coming up on March 21 and they're makong a final push to get the engine done in time for it.


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