The SP&S 700 Boiler Inspection: The Effort Continues

Photo by Mark Toal

The jacketing and lagging on the engine are now completely removed and stored, including the jacketing on the back-head inside the cab. The fixtures and gauges inside the cab are now removed and safely stored. The water glasses are put safely away, the MU control is disconnected and removed. The cab interior looks quite “naked”.

Cleaning of the boiler exterior is well under way. The condition of the exterior is looking very good with just minor surface rust and no evidence of scale. The very top of the boiler has some spots where power activated tools may be necessary, and these spots are a little harder to reach. We have a pattern for the ultrasound measurement zones from the last rebuild that we will use in an attempt to come close to duplicating measurement locations.

The washout plugs have been removed, and the threads are all looking good. We plan to fabricate new gaskets for each washout plug. We have begun to clean out the smokebox, and we welcome all newbies to come down and try this out as an initiation of sorts. The cleaning inside of the boiler is also planned for the not so distant future. Fire brick removal should begin starting next month (May).

There are some activities inside the Oregon Rail Heritage Center  facility that we must work around, in order to respect our other “roommates”. This also includes facility activities, as this is a working shop and museum combined! We are located at the back of the engine house so right now it enables us to get the real dirty stuff done! We will soon be separating the tender, and moving the 700 to the front of the ORHC building.

One of the near term activities (actually an event), is what we are calling Portland Train Day. This will take place on Saturday May 14 from 10 to 5 at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center and admission is free. We are in the final planning stages for this event, but we plan to make it a “big party”, where past participants of the Amtrak National Train Day in Portland are welcome to come and join the fun just as they have been doing in past Train Days here in Portland! There will be lots of interesting displays and activities at the facility for families, including train rides! This event will require moving equipment around to make room for displays and people, but everything will still be accessible for the public to enjoy up front and close! The 700 will be placed somewhere outside on full display. Actual placement of the equipment is still in the planning stages, but one of the locomotives will be out in the front of the building on the new front track extension. The only way to find out which one is to come to Portland Train Day, and maybe something may actually be steamed up for the event (maybe!)

So come on down and see firsthand what this is all about! And if you want to help us out, even if you aren't able to visit, you can donate to the Pacific Railroad Preservation Association fundraiser dedicated to the boiler rebuild effort.