Currently, there are no operational steam locomotives there, and no steam is scheduled for the 2008 season. Still, from what I've heard (correct me if I'm wrong), there is a chance either the restorations of the Shay or the 1630 will be completed by the end of summer. As far as I know, the restoraton of UP 428 (2-8-0) is on the backburner.
ternan92 wrote:Try this web site; for the late's in steam updates. [http://irmsteamteam.com/]
I went on a steam shop tour right before I left IRM yesterday and they said they are very optimistic that there will be steam next year, most likely the Frisco 1630.
IRM Steam -
The rear driving wheel set of the 1630 was dropped and sent to Tennessee Valley. It was determined that the tires had to be replaced. A spare set of tires was sent to TV with the wheels. The driveing wheel set should be back at IRM by early August.
The boxes for the set also have to be rebuilt. They were sitting on an angle. Once this is done, and everything is back in place, the engine should be running.
Back in the day, driver tires were forged from a solid hunk of steel. First they would beat it into a big donut and just keep streching it out, then finish it on a vertical turret lathe or boring mill. Nowadays, I expect they take a piece of barstock, roll it into a circle, weld the ends together, then machine it.
I was told that years ago the SP 4449 got new tires made that they contracted to a place in England, and that place subcontracted to an outfit in South Africa. They had a couple of extras that were stashed in one corner of the Broolkyn, Ore. roundhouse. They probably are still there, but I haven't been down there for years.
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