David Johnston posted:Kelly Anderson, a regular poster on this site, was probably the person who put an end to 1361's restoration when he reported on the actual condition of the boiler. I hope he can report on what went wrong, if he is free to do so. As I recall from writings on the problem when it first surfaced, the PRR had allowed little or no material in the boiler sheets for wastage. With the current FRA requirement, and with the technology available today, actual sheet thickness are measured and used to calculate the maximum pressure. On 1361 this left the maximum boiler pressure below what was needed for the locomotive adequately preform with a main line train. The UT readings on the boiler either were not done until well into the restoration, or the significance of the readings were not understood.
Not exactly. Remember that the PRR K4 design/build was prior to 1920, and thus the design factor of "4" was not used/required way back then (can't remember for sure, but might have been '3' or '3.5' safety factor). Since there is no way for the current boiler to comply with current FRA Form 4 boiler regulations, there are generally speaking only three choices for 1361 to be made operational & compliant:
1) Reduce the maximum working boiler pressure to fall within the safety factor of "4" as the boiler/firebox is presently designed/constructed.
2) Repair/replace the complete firebox/roof sheet with acceptable thickness steel and PROPER staybolt spacing for a design safety factor of "4" for a maximum working boiler pressure of 205.
3) Have a complete new boiler manufactured to comply with current FRA regulations.
Of course there is always the most logical "4th choice", which is to cosmetically "restore" 1361, and display it IN DOORS!
