It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 8:26 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 62 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 1:48 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
A major question concerning the restoration of #148 has been answered. U.S.Sugar reported today that the boiler survey on the locomotive has been completed, and it has been determined that the original boiler is repairable, which will result in considerable savings inbotnb cost and restoration time.

Photos courtesy U.S.Sugar


Attachments:
File comment: Gridding the boiler in preparation for testing
FB_IMG_1488562362959.jpg
FB_IMG_1488562362959.jpg [ 21.58 KiB | Viewed 18597 times ]
FB_IMG_1488562467328.jpg
FB_IMG_1488562467328.jpg [ 28.02 KiB | Viewed 18597 times ]
Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:47 pm 

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2004 9:48 am
Posts: 1531
Location: Byers, Colorado
Thank you so very much for posting this information here, where I can just look at it directly, without dealing through a third party website. PLEASE keep more of this wonderful news headed our way when you have a chance. Congratulations and best of luck to the canefield railroaders of Florida, take care and work safe.

VIVA U.S. Sugar 148 !!!!

_________________
Ask not what your locomotive can do for you,
Ask what you can do for your locomotive,

Sammy King


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 11:44 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
Afew more photos of the work so far. Unloading #148 using U.S. Sugar's bridge crane, her boiler mounted on a flat car, blasted and primed, and her running gear in U.S. Sugar' locomotive shop.

Photos courtesy U. S. Sugar.


Attachments:
FB_IMG_1488597832593.jpg
FB_IMG_1488597832593.jpg [ 27.83 KiB | Viewed 18152 times ]
FB_IMG_1488597847508.jpg
FB_IMG_1488597847508.jpg [ 29 KiB | Viewed 18152 times ]
FB_IMG_1488597861253.jpg
FB_IMG_1488597861253.jpg [ 25.21 KiB | Viewed 18152 times ]
FB_IMG_1488598136302.jpg
FB_IMG_1488598136302.jpg [ 20.28 KiB | Viewed 18152 times ]
FB_IMG_1488598112372.jpg
FB_IMG_1488598112372.jpg [ 25.01 KiB | Viewed 18152 times ]
Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:25 am 

Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 1:12 am
Posts: 140
That is fantastic news guys! Does US Sugar have passenger cars lined up for this gem to haul around? It would be interesting to know if you guys plan to possibly expand your steam program with another US Sugar steamer? It's bound to be a great promoter of the company and draw crowds.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 10:44 am 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
To the best of my knowledge, U.S. Sugar has no passenger equipment. Their other two surviving steam locomotives, #113 and #153, are preserved at the Gold Coast Railroad Museum in Miami. There is another steam locomotive on the property, ex- Florida East Coast 0-8-0 #253, which they graciously agreed to temporarily store when their owner,Steam Locomotive #253 Association, recently lost their former home in Ft.Pierce.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:46 pm 

Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 1:12 am
Posts: 140
#253 could be a potential second candidate for their program, but would be rough riding long distance in my opinion. Depending on their grades, speed, and consist the 0-8-0 might not be practical. Are either of these groups likely to lease or sell for U.S. Sugars steam program?


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:49 pm 

Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:49 am
Posts: 277
Location: North London UK
Hi guys,
Well, there is also two other ex FEC steam locomotives out there, beside the ones mention in Mark Locke's post, they are ex Florida East Cost 4-6-2's, number 80 and 88! Both are in Georgia and are better known as Savannah & Atlanta 750 (FEC 80) and Georgia Northern 107 (FEC 88). Not sure of current conditions but I think the 750 last ran in the late 80's. Not trying to put the horse before the cart with a "what if" but the 750 may be a possible candidate for second locomotive if a lease could be worked out with the NRHS chapter who owns her.

Have fun guys, David Notarius, an ex BR&W flunky out in the sticks of Cambridgeshire UK


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 6:55 pm 

Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm
Posts: 567
David, there are also two more ex FEC Pacifics at the Gold Coast RR Museum near Miami. The 113 and 153, as I recall.

Rob Gardner


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Sun Mar 05, 2017 7:43 pm 

Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 10:34 pm
Posts: 924
I bet those in control over at US Sugar have thought about other possibilities and are aware of surviving FEC locomotives. Just saying. Certainly a lot of possibilities. All with tracks to run on too!

What an incredible happy change in course for the #148. Once again never say never. Would of wrote the chances of this locomotive as very slim as far as finding a happy home and a chance to run again. Not that it was impossible, but this old gal has been bounced around for so long just didn't strike me a very promising candidate. Thank you to those involved in this save and restoration. Regards, John.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 4:33 pm 

Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2004 9:48 am
Posts: 1531
Location: Byers, Colorado
Myself, I can't wait to see that sucker tie onto a cut of loaded sugar cane cars !!!! Who needs Cuba ??? Stars & Stripes forever !!!! This is flat out GLORIOUS.

_________________
Ask not what your locomotive can do for you,
Ask what you can do for your locomotive,

Sammy King


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2017 7:20 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
#148's boiler was loaded for shipment to Chattanooga, presumably TVRM,, where it will be overhauled. Photo from Engine 148's Facebook page.


Attachments:
FB_IMG_1493938952124.jpg
FB_IMG_1493938952124.jpg [ 17.05 KiB | Viewed 16016 times ]
Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2017 8:03 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
Update-- according to Jason Sobczynski, a usually reliable source, the boiler is at a contractor's shop in St. Louis.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Fri May 05, 2017 8:52 pm 

Joined: Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:50 pm
Posts: 567
The 148 FB page has been updated to say it is indeed going to St. Louis. I'm guessing to Continental Boiler?

Rob Gardner


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2017 9:29 am 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
Her superheater units, throttle valve, and blower/exhaust nozzle are being refurbished at TVRM. Additinally the Tennessee Valley mechanical department and Gary Bensman will be flanging a new rear tube sheet and firebox door sheet for #148.


Offline
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: U.S. Sugar / F.E.C. #148 restoration progress
PostPosted: Mon May 15, 2017 10:11 pm 

Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:41 pm
Posts: 53
The old door sheet removed from #148. You can see one reason for replacement, multiple patches.
Photos from Steam Operations Group Facebook page.


Attachments:
FB_IMG_1494900038415.jpg
FB_IMG_1494900038415.jpg [ 29 KiB | Viewed 14141 times ]
FB_IMG_1494899876196.jpg
FB_IMG_1494899876196.jpg [ 16.5 KiB | Viewed 14141 times ]


Last edited by Mark Locke on Tue May 16, 2017 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Offline
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 62 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


 Who is online

Users browsing this forum: cbq9911a, Google [Bot], Overmod and 108 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: