Hello everyone,
The 2100 project has reached several major milestones over the past few months. Let's take a look at what we've accomplished!
- All welding inside the firebox is done! This includes the welding of the new inner side sheets, all 548 new staybolts, a patch on the center thermic syphon, two patches on the outer wrapper sheet, 9 new flexible staybolt sleeves, and the rolling and seal welding of the two new arch tubes. A big thanks goes to the volunteers and contractors who worked together to make this possible! Great job team!
- We're approaching a hydrostatic test, but what work remains to button up the boiler?
Before squeezing the boiler, we have to replace two more sleeves on the upper portion of the wrapper and install two threaded staybolts. We also have to replace 85 staybolt sleeves in the combustion chamber, which will require the removal of the massive no. 4 driver leaf springs. We expect these repairs to be completed over the winter. We also must reinstall all of the flexible staybolt caps, and we are currently in the process of preparing them to go back on. After that, we'll be ready to go! Stay tuned!
- Recently, we cracked the boiler to perform an inspection of the existing tubes and flues, in preparation for the 1472-day inspection. Our contractors have begun this inspection and we are currently awaiting an evaluation report.
- The Worthington Feedwater Heater components have been cleaned and inspected, and all have been found to be in good shape. The unit has been reassembled and is ready for the road!
- Ultrasound surveys continue to be performed. To date, over 90% of readings have been completed, with just a few hard-to-reach areas remaining.
- It's always "grate" to see partnership in preservation. As part of the Reading & Northern Railroad's project on sister engine no. 2102, all new grates were made for the locomotive, but the R&N steam team has generously donated the complete set of original grates to ASR! We would like to thank the team in Port Clinton for their generosity to our project. We have begun to disassemble the grates for cleaning and inspection, and along with the 2100's originals, we will use the best grates in service and keep the ones we don't use initially as spares.
- Speaking of the 2102, I recently paid a visit to the Reading & Northern's Steam Shops in Port Clinton, Pennsylvania to check out their progress. The veteran locomotive has completed a hydrostatic test and two stationary test fires, and is now on the home stretch of her restoration. I was very impressed with the quality of work and I can already tell they'll have a very reliable locomotive for years to come. Great work steam team!
Thanks again for your support of Reading 2100 and American Steam Railroad. Donate and learn more: fireup2100.org
