Hello everyone,
Today's 2100 update will have you "welded" to your seat! Take a look at the exciting things we've already been able to accomplish in the month of April.
- On Saturday, April 10, Gemini Industries descended on the B&O Roundhouse here in Cleveland, and with a spark and an arc, tac welded all 560 flexible and rigid staybolts into the 2100's massive firebox! While this process is not quite complete yet, it represents a major milestone in returning the 2100 to steam, and in the coming weeks Gemini will come back to Cleveland to complete the weld.
- We would like to say thank you to all of you that have assisted us in this endeavor. Starting with the initial fundraiser for the forging and machining of the staybolts back in February of last year, you have shown tremendous support with this project. If it wasn't for your generosity, none of this would be possible. Again, THANK YOU!
- While the staybolt project represents a massive milestone, there is still more work yet to be able to do a hydrostatic test on the boiler. We need to replace improperly repaired staybolt caps and sleeves in the combustion chamber and outer wrapper sheet, remove the springs over the no. 4 driver in order to gain access to some of those caps and sleeves, fabricate and install two new arch tubes, and replace worn staybolt caps. Once those items are complete, we will be able to do a hydrostatic test on the boiler!
- Also, six years to the day before we welded the staybolts in, on April 10, 2015, we publicly announced the start of the Fire Up 2100 project, and the 2100 began her trek back east from her lonely siding in Washington state. I think it's quite interesting how dates seem to line up like that, don't you?
Thank you again for your support of Reading 2100 and American Steam Railroad. We couldn't have done this without you!
