Volume 2, No. 4 - December, 1999
An Update on #30/74
Jason Midyette
An Update on #30/74
Jason Midyette
click on the picture to see a full size version
Boiler Inspection
Work on the evaluation of #30/74's boiler has been nearly completed and shows that only minor repairs are needed to allow the locomotive to operate. A hydrostatic test at the boiler's working pressure of 180 psi showed the boiler to leak at two pin holes on the steam dome flange and a few staybolts. The flues did not leak and were found not to need replacement. The final step in the boiler's evaluation will be an ultrasound test to determine the thickness of the boiler shell.
The removal of the asbestos boiler lagging was completed by AR Tech on October 23, 1999, exposing the boiler shell for the first time in 50 years. On October 30, the Boulder Chapter of the Railway Historical Society hosted a workday in which volunteers cleaned debris from the fire and smoke boxes and reconnected the tender to the locomotive and wire brushed scale from the exterior of the boiler.
Colorado Boiler spent November 10 and 11 preparing the boiler for the hydrostatic test by plugging valves and pipes that may leak. The boiler was then filled with water on Friday, November 12, with mixed results. While the valves and other items leaked only minimally, the throttle valve did not seal at all and filled the cylinders with water. Amid fears of a cracked dry pipe (the pipe that carries steam from the steam dome to the cylinders) the boiler was drained. On Monday the 15th, the steam dome lid was removed and the throttle valve inspected. This work showed the leaky throttle to be caused by an easily solvable culprit; temporary rubber gaskets used for a previous hydro test had become dislodged from the throttle valve and were holding it open. The valve was then removed, new gaskets made and the valve replaced. The boiler was then filled with water again to test the throttle valve. The City irrigation line used to fill the boiler was able to pressurize it to over 80 psi and no leaks were noted. The boiler was once again drained to await the formal hydro test on Tuesday, November 16.
Work on Tuesday began at 11:00 am with Colorado Boiler making final adjustments to the valves and installing a pressure gauge atop the boiler. At 2:00, the State Boiler Inspector arrived and the boiler was brought up to pressure. By 3:30, the test was completed and the boiler once again drained. The BCRHS was able to get the boiler painted, the air pump rehung, and the running boards reinstalled by the first week in December. This was done so that the locomotive doesn't look so bare
Mechanical Evaluation
On November 18, 1999, the BCRHS and the City of Boulder received word that the grant application submitted to the State Historical Fund to perform a mechanical evaluation of Locomotive #30/74 had been funded. The scope of this work will include determining what repairs are needed to return the locomotive to operating condition and preparing a written budget and phased plan for the repairs. The evaluation will be performed in early 2000.
Volunteers
Here is a list of people who have helped out with the 30/74 and its train this go around. Hopefully the list will grow. The list is of people who have actually put physical labor into the restoration, many more have donated money etc.
Stuart Anderson, Matt Armitage, Jerome Cress, Ed Gerlitz, Gary Greenhut, Todd Hackett, Joe Lemmo, Dan Kuckes, Jason Midyette, Jim Siegwarth, Karol Stoker, Dave Waltrip, Elmer Zessin
If I've left someone out please forgive me. It was truly unintentional.
Atomic Narrow Gauge - Return To Opening Page - A final Comment
