The Ohio Central is deep into the restoration of Grand Trunk Western 4-8-4 6325. They have some great photos on their site, illustrating what has to be done to restore an engine today. All of the big steam railroad backshops are gone, and these pix are great. It begs the question, how do you re-tube and re-flue a boiler? From the bottom up? How do you get the last few in when you can't get into the boiler to fit them? http://www.ohiocentralrr.com
Fitz, To re-tube a boiler, a crew would start at the bottom. A person inside the boiler would guide a flue from the front sheet to the rear sheet. This pattern would contines, working up the sides more than the center until you have a "V" pattern established. As each tube or flue is pushed in it rides on the "V" and builds the "V" pattern. At some point the person inside the boiler will need to come out as the space to work gets smaller. Then a person in the firebox would have a smaller pipe or bar. As the next flue is pushed in on the "V" until it is about 2 or 3" from the back tube sheet, the person in the firebox would put the bar or small pipe in the flue, lift it up and guide it in the proper hole. This continues until all flues and tubes are in place. steamer700.
Don, thanks. I kind of figured that. Now tell me how one gets out of the boiler with the end plates in place? Through the steam dome? Removed, of course. Fitz
