Steam & Excursion > SP 0-6-0 Getting Some TLC

While re-organizing my stuff to make more room for more stuff, I ran across a series of prints I made many years ago, and thought I'd post them for the heck of it.

It's August, 1982 and I was fresh out of high school. The Pacific Locomotive Association had their SP 0-6-0 #1269 in service at the California State Railroad Museum and it was time to take care of some repairs and make a few modifications to the S-12, so CSRM moved her over to the old Sacramento Locomotive Works "Unit Shop." At the time, this is where the CSRM folks did all of their restoration work and the building was still full of on-going projects.

Brian Wise
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Photo #1: Peeking out the front door of the Unit Shop.
Photo #2: (left to right) George Childs, Don Chikarian (sp?), and Dave Rousar wrestle with the dynamo's exhaust stack. Apparently the dynamo had problems, so they were changing it out with another.
Photo #3: PLA's boilermaker, Raleigh "Bones" Andrews cuts out a broken staybolt while Dave Rousar looks on.

More to follow.

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A few more:

Photo #4: Bones has removed the broken staybolt and is now running a tap through the two sheets to freshen out the threads prior to installing the new staybolt. Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos of the new one going in for some reason.

Photo #5: One item missing from the #1269 up to this time was a blow down muffler. Using SP drawings, Bones fabricated a new one for the #1269 and here it's being installed. This fellow, who's name I don't recall (a co-worker of Bones Andrews), is welding the braces to both ends of the muffler.

Photo #6: Bones directs from the ground as his co-worker buddy works on the ladder at the rear of the #1269's tender. I can't recall if this is a new ladder, or the original having been repaired. In any event, it was previously removed from the tender as evidenced by the crane attached to the top.

More to follow.

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And the final shots, taken from a more unique angle. I remember Mr. Ken Yeo asking if I wanted to get some shots from up above. He then offered to take me up into the overhead crane and positioned it where I like.

Photo #7: An overview of the #1269 in the Unit Shop. Not the best quality photo, as something caused the lower portion to be slightly over-exposed. I can't imagine what it was considering how dark the inside of that building was.

Photo #8: Looking right down onto the top of the #1269. On the left side, Dave Rousar and Pete Willis (I think) are pondering some issue with the air compressor, while on the right side, Bones Andrews is cutting out that broken stay bolt.

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Brian Wise



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/03/13 11:17 by speeder3.

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All good shots Brian. Interesting perspective.

Martin

Hi Brian!

Yes, that's me with Dave getting ready to pull the head on
the compressor. It had a nasty habit of stalling when needed.
We pulled the head and valve actuator rod(s?), did a quick hone
and polish of the cylinder bore, cleaned and oiled everything and
put it back together. I don't think it cured the problem, as later
we replaced the air Governor cutout with somewhat limited success.

The ladder was replacing the one the engine had in the park, it was
all welded. The replacement was more to the original, being all
bolted together.

I really enjoyed being a part of the crew of the 1269. Still my
favorite steam engine bar none.

Enjoy seeing your work at MRSR here on TO. Keep up the good work!
I may walk in on ya someday...I promise to bring "Easy Off" oven
cleaner and some rags, if you'll supply a Hiesler with a stainless
steel boiler jacket.

Pete Willis
Denver, Colorado

Consol Wrote:
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> Hi Brian!

>
> Enjoy seeing your work at MRSR here on TO. Keep up
> the good work!
> I may walk in on ya someday...I promise to bring
> "Easy Off" oven
> cleaner and some rags, if you'll supply a Hiesler
> with a stainless
> steel boiler jacket.
>
> Pete Willis
> Denver, Colorado

Hi Pete!

Hey, you're always welcome to drop in anytime. And if you're supplying the elbow grease, it would be my pleasure to supply the Heisler! Think you could have it done by June? ;)

Good to hear from you!

Brian

Brian

Those were some fun days, for sure. I am glad you found the photos. Ken and U.P. Joe made the place like a second home to us.

Dad

What a fine engine in steam that was. And Brian, great photos. Truly capture the essence of the work. One of the best series of pics ever for that.

Great to see you at the KM show yesterday. See you next time at MRSR...

~ BZ

Wow what a great series, Brian!

Stunning angles there, Brian. Thanks for sharing those great shots with us.

speeder3 Wrote:
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> Photo #2: (left to right) George Childs, Don
> Chikarian (sp?), and Dave Rousar wrestle with the
> dynamo's exhaust stack. Apparently the dynamo had
> problems, so they were changing it out with
> another.

That would be Don Chakerian I presume. He is a UP engineer out of Stockton now.

ble692 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> speeder3 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Photo #2: (left to right) George Childs, Don
> > Chikarian (sp?), and Dave Rousar wrestle with
> the
> > dynamo's exhaust stack. Apparently the dynamo
> had
> > problems, so they were changing it out with
> > another.
>
> That would be Don Chakerian I presume. He is a UP
> engineer out of Stockton now.

Yes, thank you for the correct spelling. He and I crossed paths from time to time both at the Castro Point Railway and at Railtown 1897, where we both volunteered. I think the last time I ran into Don was at the Niles Canyon Railway during the last Tank Fest.

Brian

Don's very much still around working for the Yew Pee. I talked to him just the other day. He runs 2472 at Niles on occasion.

Nice collection!

Steve Mitchell
http://www.yardgoatimages.com

Okay. I hope I don't open a can of worms but will the 1269 ever run again? If not, why not? Isn't that engine at Niles Canyon?

JDE

Good to see Bones. I miss having him around.

Chris

Steamjocky Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Okay. I hope I don't open a can of worms but will
> the 1269 ever run again? If not, why not? Isn't
> that engine at Niles Canyon?
>
> JDE


Yes, the #1269 is currently stored unserviceable at Brightside Yard in Niles Canyon. I can't speak for the PLA on whether or not it will see service again.

Brian