Steam & Excursion > Steam Backshop - Polson Logging #70 Gets Her Pistons -

Some have complained that there have not been many steam posts here of late. One explanation for this is the fact that the steam operation season for most steam railroads has ended for the year (Santa Trains being the notable exception). However, one should not think there is no steam news being made.

This is the time of the year that the steam backshops really start humming. Some steam backshops are starting their winter maintenance cycle getting ready for the next operating season. This is when operational locomotives are receiving much needed maintenance after a long summer season.

However, in other steam backshops, like ours at Mt. Rainier Scenic RR, they are returning in earnest to completing the rebuild of "lokies" that have not run in many, many years. The winter shut-down is the perfect time to bring shop forces to bear and concentrate on completing all the hundres of tasks needed to restore a team locomotive from static display to opertional status.

This last Friday was just such a day in the Mineral, WA backshop as Polson Logging #70 (later Rayonier #70) had her fireman's side piston and packing installed. GM Brian Wise and CMO Stathi Pappas headed up the operation as the rings were clamped tight and the piston gently nudged into position.

Winter work like this in the steam backshops around the country will yield fire breathing steam locomotives like #70 to thrill us all as these steam operating railroads come back alive next spring.

Martin



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/10 07:21 by LoggerHogger.

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What's the purpose of the new pipe from the top of the slide valve housing to the cab? Pressure gage added? I continue to be impressed with the work at MRSR.

nycman Wrote:
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> What's the purpose of the new pipe from the top of
> the slide valve housing to the cab? Pressure gage
> added? I continue to be impressed with the work
> at MRSR.

Hydrostatic lubricator line.

Howard