The month of March proved to be a productive one for American Steam Railroad volunteers. April is planned to be a busier one yet, with the welders from Gemini Industries scheduled to install the staybolts into the firebox. Much of the highlighted work in the past month includes:
- Continued work on the ultrasound survey of the locomotive. ASR crews have now dismantled many pipes, fittings, and appliances on the back head of the boiler in the cab, which will help better facilitate readings. The piping and valves from the sand dome were also removed to help with this project.
- The bell was reinstalled on top of the smokebox after it had been cleaned and polished. It has been covered to help protect its shine and be seen by the public during open houses at the Midwest Railway Preservation Society West 3rd Street roundhouse.
- Measurements were taken from the fire door air cylinder from Mad River & NKP Museum’s Nickel Plate 757 Berkshire locomotive. The dimensions taken will help create a new fire door set up, and we appreciate Mad River & NKP assistance in this project.
- Staybolts were prepped and cleaned in anticipation of the welders who will install them very soon into Reading 2100’s firebox.
