Steam & Excursion > Santa Maria Valley #205 Passes Inspection-Nearly Done!

Yesterday marked a milestone in the completion of another Steam Locomotive restoration project here in the Northwest when Santa Maria Valley #205 passed her FRA Hydro and Form-4 inspection.

This project started in the early 1980's when George Lavacot rescued #205 from the Santa Maria Fairgrounds where she had been on display since 1950. He took the engine by flatcar up to the engine shops of the Valley & Siletz RR in Independence, Oregon where her restoration was begun.

Over the next 30+ years George and many of his friends have been working on the engine steadily but as time permits. As George likes to say; "The engine was completely worn out, then run another 10 years, and only then put on display." Needless to say, #205 needed plenty of work to get her to where she is today. She has a new tender cistern and all new cab among the other items that needed to be fabricated for the project.

All this came to head when we were able to schedule the FRA inspection for yesterday. In the first photo we see the engine is ready for the Fed to arrive. The spray washer in the foreground will be used to bring the pressure up on the boiler.

In the second photos we see long-time FRA steam inspector, Gary Groff in the cab of #205 as George runs the compressor to bring the pressure up to the required 231#s.

In the 3rd photo the inspection continues with the front tube sheet.


Martin



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/14 11:40 by LoggerHogger.

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In this second photo we see Gary Groff explaining to his assistant Howard and George that he likes what he sees as the pressure holds soundly at 231#s with no fall-off and no leaks.

In the 3rd photo George and friend Merlin, watch as the pressure climbs during the Hydrostatic test.


Martin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/14 04:44 by LoggerHogger.

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Success, after a thorough inspection with the water pressure holding at the required 125% over the 180#s operating pressure the boiler is designed for, Gary Groff announces to the assembled crowd of friends, #205 has passed her inspection and is now ready for her steam test!

You will notice some of our Daylight crew members in the crowd of friends on hand for the #205 FRA inspection. In the steam community in the Pacific Northwest many of us help each other out on our respective steam engines to get them running and keep them running.

Long ago, #205 acquired the nick-name "Porky" from those of us who worked on her. For that reason her mascot was on hand as well to celebrate the first successful Hydro test of the locomotive in more than 64 years!


Martin



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/14 04:45 by LoggerHogger.

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All good things take time! Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this successful milestone.

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Great photos of the restoration. That new cab looks amazing.

Rich

Really nice job on the piping, first rate work.

Out

Once she is fully ready, bring it back to Santa Maria, and do a day or two on the "home line"

Man oh man...I do know one thing. George, myself and all the rest were much, much younger when we loaded that engine on flat cars over 31 years ago. :-) Way to go George!

Dave

Reminds me of a visit to Santa Maria in Sept. 1967--steam was long gone, but the standpipe was still there. Now the yard and the engine house have disappeared.

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The yard is definitely gone, but the enginehouse remains. It looks like something out of a ghetto now. I can't bring myself to even drive past it anymore. I worked in there for many, many years.

Dave