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soldust — The Belly of the Beast

#engine #steam #train #western #1309 #marryland
Published: 2015-08-07 16:43:59 +0000 UTC; Views: 363; Favourites: 6; Downloads: 0
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Description Yup, you guessed it, this is the front of #1309. the front engine was out front getting its pre-work inspection(I was told it actually looked to be in pretty good shape), so the boiler here was supported on some makeshift support which consisted of a truck with I beams welded to it. all the old tubes had been removed and the new ones were in the yard waiting to be installed. what was holding the operation from going forward, was that the crews were waiting on a special X-ray imaging device that looked for imperfections and micro cracks in the boiler walls. I'm not sure if its unfortunate or awesome, because with all the steam locomotive restorations going on in the county there is apparently a considerable wait in line. But they were hoping to get the machine over in around a month.
Our guide was fairly confident in the boilers integrity, the lead mechanic however was more...reserved
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Comments: 7

Engine97 [2015-08-19 03:11:51 +0000 UTC]

This is a grand portrait! Much like one I got of 1309!

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Rockyrailroad578 [2015-08-07 21:13:45 +0000 UTC]

I hope that her boiler holds up to regulation standards...

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Engine97 In reply to Rockyrailroad578 [2015-08-19 03:11:26 +0000 UTC]

It will, put your faith in the WMSR, she'll be in tip top shape!

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Rockyrailroad578 In reply to Engine97 [2015-08-19 03:36:57 +0000 UTC]

I can't wait, she's progressed very quickly!

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Engine97 In reply to Rockyrailroad578 [2015-08-19 03:38:53 +0000 UTC]

I can't wait either. Soon, she will grace the rails of the WMSR!

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soldust In reply to Rockyrailroad578 [2015-08-07 21:28:03 +0000 UTC]

they seemed pretty confident. the head mechanic was trying not to get his hopes up, but said for being outside for 40 odd years, it actually looked ok, but nothing is for certain until they get the X-ray tester in.
They told me that the steam pipes and both engines at first glance needed only minor work, the front engine looking to be in better shape then the rear.

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Rockyrailroad578 In reply to soldust [2015-08-07 22:02:14 +0000 UTC]

I see. And it must be an added challenge to get BOTH engine units working!

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