The following was posted on the Mid-continent web page on the progress on the restoration on ST#2


Milestones achieved!

The ST2 passed its FRA hydrostatic test with flying colors. Boiler tested to 266 Lb, the same as the test when the boiler was NEW 102 years ago and allowing a Maximum Allowed Working Pressure of 200 PSI! However, the locomotive will be operated at a more conservative 180 PSI. Today the FRA made the final internal inspection in which all of the internal braces were checked to ensure that they were tight and under load. Passed that one, too! The tender was mated to the locomotive today (Sunday, Oct 5) and the initial steam test is currently scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9. After the steam test the locomotive will undergo final assembly with insulation, jacket and reinstallation of the cab. Volunteers are still needed and are welcome to assist in the final assembly and testing!

Wow, that is super news! Congrats to Skip and the gang on their achievements. Dare we hope for a steam powered Snow Train?

I think it easily doable for the locomotive to be ready for snow train. But it would take extra money to bring in some help to expedite the remaining work. The other would be support and cooperation from Mid Continent {the museum itself}. Not implying they are not supportive, but we would need to be indoors, we would need electricity for lights and occasional air. This locomotive is privately owned and funded but is leased to Mid Continent. So the restoration end of things is Skips {owner} responsibility. Unless there were more money and support it might be a stretch. Could happen if it were decided upon, but money is the largest deterrent to the speed of it being ready. Both to hire a contractor to help until finished and to pay utilities during the winter months when the museum doesn't want any work going on {to save on utilities}. Even without hiring a contractor to help it might still be doable. If we put our mind to it yes I still think it could happen. In years past we pulled things off like this, but our experienced volunteers have died, quit or not available on demand. We do have volunteers who could pull this off but we would need the shop as stated and a real organized plan of approach. We would need access to the pit on demand as once running we still have a break in period to adjust valves, piping, boxes and so on. Working outside in dead of winter didn't work last year and would be a huge deterrent. Cards would need to fall into place here. The only limitations we have are the ones we accept. But the universe needs to cooperate too.

We had planned on working outside as much as possible last winter, but it was so severely cold and windy we wimped out. Another deterrent is we have no water supply for steam locomotives at this time. Not insurmountable problem, but again more money and time to install and must be winter proof. To my knowledge there is no immediate plan to install a watering system between now and Snow Train? Could be plans but none I've heard about yet. Regards, John.

Thanks for the info, John. All of your points are well taken. I know that the flood of a few years ago put the museum into a deep financial hole and things are tight, but it would be a real moral booster to see steam at a big event like Snow Train.

I have the greatest admiration and respect for Skip for overcoming all of the obstacles thrown his way and staying the course on this project when it would be very easy to just chuck it all. His work and dedication deserves to be rewarded. I know that the museum's main steam project is the 1385 but it's a couple of years from operation at best. Skip's engine is almost ready to go now. It'd sure be nice if the museum could find a way to help finish it up.

I think it the same for all of us. MONEY and more money. The museum is trying to stay on budget and tough choices are made because of it. None of us like this but we also understand. No different than a individual keeping ones own finances in order. You can get careless and loose it all or you can live within your means. Until one wins the lottery, it is a good idea to choose carefully how you spend your money and how much debt you incur. Regards, John.

Water and fuel aside, we have no trained crews available on such short notice. The Mid-Continent operating department will insist on a road qualified crew and with no program in place to steam qualify our existing crew base, Snow Train is a pipe dream. Great dream, but unlikely.

Mid-Continent is determined to make sure that the return of steam is done right.

I agree it is not going to happen short of divine intervention.

We have access to qualified personal, that is if running on class one railroads counts as qualified. The decision would have to be made that this is a goal and the money and crews along with a host of other things would have to be addressed. Hate to agree with Chuck on this but "pipe dream" is good description of the #2 running at Snow Train.

Regards, John.

The beast LIVES! The Saginaw Timber No. 2 had a fire in its belly for the first time since February, 2000. Preliminary testing revealed problems needing to be fixed, but that was the object of the first test. More information is available on the Mid-Continent and the Trains Magazine Facebook pages.

https://www.facebook.com/MidContinentRailwayMuseum
https://www.facebook.com/TrainsMagazine

Much progress has been made on the Saginaw Timber No. 2 since the first fire-up in November. The major problems of the first fire-up were the placement of the atomizer and repair of the firing valve. Both of these items have been tackled and reassembly is progressing. Installation of lagging and the wrapper sheets began in February and will be completed by the end of March. This last weekend the locomotive was moved out of the engine house for installation of the cab and turbogenerator. Plumbing on the back head and electrical work can now be completed.
A punch list of 35 items has been made to guide the final reassembly prior to operational testing, tentatively scheduled to begin May 4. The list includes everything from lubrication lines to double nutting all bolts and studs.

Picture of the cab installed, 3/28/15.

I like it when big pieces go back on. Nice photo's guys and good job too. Was kind of hoping the jacketing was done so I don't have to help with that last course. OF course that should be the easiest section to do, as the second to last wasn't that bad. Will see if I can make it down sometime this week. Meetings and last minute call ups are keeping me close to home.

How are we coming on the mud ring bearing block revision? Would be nice to get the communist side plates and brake rigging back together again. I thank you guys for stepping up and pushing this project forward. It needed a couple of extra bodies and a goal deadline to fire up. This is how to get things done. It is how the museum got to where it got. Membership pulling together is a great concept and it works! You guys rock.

Cheers, John.

John, you'll be glad to know the last course of jacketing was applied Saturday afternoon.

Richard

Richard you tricked me and that isn't nice. The last course was not done!

Old home week today. Some old time members who were around in the late 60's-70s were around today including a UP car knocker from Denver. Funny how we all have aged. Not funny really. Anyway still got a few things done. Delivery pipe from injector to check valve installed on fireman side installed. A couple of studs were too long and under the jacketing which interfered with fitting the jacketing were nipped off. The mounting bracket for the steam generator was on backwards so now the jacketing fits better and the generator is mounted as the holes line up better, and the jacketing is tightened up on the top side. Think some final fitting might be in order around the rear sand dome. But for all the fine visiting that occurred we actually did a few things today. Not sure if most people realize all the nickel dime things that go into a locomotive. Endless details that nobody will ever recognize but still have to be done. Wonderful way to spend the day.

Big day today! Final reassembly of the ST2 is nearly complete in readiness for the official FRA inspection on Thursday. Last Friday the Pistons were installed and the cylinder covers followed on Saturday. Today the Loco was steamed for testing the pops and another round of leak fixing. At the end of the day Skip pulled the throttle open for the first time in 15 years and the engine moved under it's own power. Testing and break in will follow pending the results of the FRA inspection.

A couple of pics from this weekend to supplement Chucks post. On Sat a temporary pump system was completed for transferring oil from tank car to tender. Chuck is keeping watch on the fill and any possible malfunctions. This in preparation for steam up next day. All tools {except for the ones used regularly},non essential parts, cleaning supplies and water bottles were removed from the engine.



On Sunday the testing of safety valves displayed one trouble some valve that is going to be replaced today as it just would not work properly regardless of repairs and adjustments, another small adjustment to burner controls were about the only things that need attention that I am aware of. Brakes were adjusted to spec before fire up. We are very close to being ready for inspection later this week. Regards, John.