Steam & Excursion > Where will they do Santa Fe 3751 15 year rebuilt?

Just a question everyone wants to know, where will they do Santa Fe 3751 15 year rebuilt?


Chris

Mudrock Wrote:
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> Just a question everyone wants to know, where will
> they do Santa Fe 3751 15 year rebuilt?
>
>
> Chris

First, it is NOT a "rebuild"! The FRA requires a complete boiler inspection and ultrasound test of the boiler wrapper sheet and firebox sheets. The a recalculated form 4 must be submitted.

Second, I would assume that the work will be done right where she has always been.

Redondo Junction Amtrak Facility just south of Los Angeles, CA. Closed to visitors. See SBRHS . org

I beleive this is the 2nd time the ATSF 3751 has had the 15 year 1472 day boilier inspection.
Their 1st time was in the 2001 to 2002 timeframe when they did this just prior
to the excellent 2002 NRHS Grand Canyon COnvention (WIlliams AZ Grand Canyon AZ area).
SO the location should likely be Redondo Jct AMtrak Facility in Los Angeles CA, once again to repeat that job 15 years later..
----Daniel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/11/17 10:32 by daniel3197.

Any idea what is the cost of performing the 15 year work?

I don't know steam engines well, but read elsewhere that it is necessary to remove all the flues, by torch cutting, so you effectively have to replace all the flues. Is that correct? There must be a significant materials cost to replace hundreds of flues.

Any idea how long the rebuild is expected to take?

hotrail Wrote:
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> Any idea what is the cost of performing the 15
> year work?
>
> I don't know steam engines well, but read
> elsewhere that it is necessary to remove all the
> flues,

The FRA regulation states that the entire interior of the boiler shell MUST be ultra-sonically tested for thickness (every square foot), and visually inspected. Thus, not ALL the flues/tubes need to be removed, only enough to complete the testing and inspection.

by torch cutting, so you effectively have
> to replace all the flues. Is that correct?

Well, yes and no. Yes, the superheater units must be removed and those flues/tubes cut and removed. However, the removed flues/tubes can be "safe-ended" and re-installed if they are not all that old/damaged.

There
> must be a significant materials cost to replace
> hundreds of flues.

See above answer.


> Any idea how long the rebuild is expected to take?

I think the FRA mandated 15 year inspection on SP 4449 (remember it is NOT a 'rebuild') took about 4 years, with an all volunteer work force.

HotWater, thank you for the info.

I wonder--back when steam locos were the norm, and railroads had big shops, all of the needed equipment, trained teams of mechanics, and all of the necessary materials on hand--for how many weeks was a big locomotive out of service to get periodic rebuilds performed?

hotrail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> HotWater, thank you for the info.
>
> I wonder--back when steam locos were the norm, and
> railroads had big shops, all of the needed
> equipment, trained teams of mechanics, and all of
> the necessary materials on hand--for how many
> weeks was a big locomotive out of service to get
> periodic rebuilds performed?

Depending on the level of "rebuild", especially a complete back-shop "rebuild", usually less than two weeks. Simple superheater, flue/tube, replacements at a roundhouse, took usually only a few days.

Los Angeles is usually a pretty good place to do that kind of work outside year-round.

hotrail Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any idea what is the cost of performing the 15
> year work?
>
> I don't know steam engines well, but read
> elsewhere that it is necessary to remove all the
> flues, by torch cutting, so you effectively have
> to replace all the flues. Is that correct? There
> must be a significant materials cost to replace
> hundreds of flues.
>
> Any idea how long the rebuild is expected to take?

Flues and tubes do not "have" to be torch-cut to remove
them. There are small, air-powered machines that can
fit inside the tube ends and cut them cleanly in a minute
or two each.

Much quicker and cleaner than torch cutting and leaves
the end ready for weld prep and attaching a safe-end
section. The remaining stub in the tube sheet can then
have the weld ground off and be punched out. This has
to be done no matter which method is used.

Said device can be rented or purchased.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/13/17 06:25 by Realist.

TRAINS Dec. 1974 has a photo story from 1923 about a D&H 2-8-0 receiving a complete Class 4 overhaul in 11 hrs 55 minutes. No ultrasonics in those days but the superheaters, tubes, and flues were out and the firebox unjacketed and unlagged (not sure about the rest of the boiler exterior). Frame was off drivers for some shoe and wedge work. Maybe a stunt but then the expected work schedule is shown in parallel and that was still only 20 hours.

filmteknik Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> TRAINS Dec. 1974 has a photo story from 1923 about
> a D&H 2-8-0 receiving a complete Class 4 overhaul
> in 11 hrs 55 minutes. No ultrasonics in those
> days but the superheaters, tubes, and flues were
> out and the firebox unjacketed and unlagged (not
> sure about the rest of the boiler exterior).
> Frame was off drivers for some shoe and wedge
> work. Maybe a stunt but then the expected work
> schedule is shown in parallel and that was still
> only 20 hours.

Wow.... That is what can be done with a complete and
excellent infrastructure, both mechanical and human,
to allow that. Still -- wow.....