Follow 463's Progress  March 2012: Painting the Tender and Preparing to move 463 to Antonito Photos from Marty Knox
Here is video posted by Roger Hogan of Marty Knox's update on the progress of Locomotive 463 to C&TS Commission on November 17, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/user/CumbresToltec#p/u/0/YMtpQagtmcg
Tuesday 16-August-2011 (Photos by Barb Florey, Ted Smith, and Jim Poston) A lot of work was done once the 463’s frame was right-side up, but we’ll skip ahead to Friday, August 12th, for the installation of the K-27’s boiler.
The boiler arrived in Monte Vista on the evening of August 9th. Considerable work had been done by Historic Machinery Services in Steele, AL, with Bob Yuill & Co. paying close attention to the boiler shell, tube sheets, superheaters, and many other components.
While preparing the frame, more casting imprints were found on the cylinders. The cylinder halves are identical, so should one cylinder half or a pair of castings need replacement, only one mold was required.
Marty Knox cuts the opening for the exhaust in the (brand new!) smokebox as the Texas team of Rex, Austin and Grant Witten (two of three hidden) fit-check the rear firebox mounts on the boiler. The air pump frame is already attached to the boiler. The frame was shipped to Historic Machinery to ensure proper alignment of the frame mounting studs.
Parallel with MVMT setting up their crane, the team of Mike Thode, Rob Creech, and Jim Florey (l-r) readies the extra section of panel track required for the extended roll-out of the frame.
“Track? Check.” “Crane? Check.” “Boiler? Double check!!” “Locomotive frame? Che - uh…” Yup - the frame was still waiting in the shop, but it was simply a matter of moving the truck ahead, bringing the frame outdoors, chocking it in place, then backing the truck to its earlier position.
With the locomotive frame in place, the plan was to lift the boiler just off the trailer, swing it about one foot west, then set it back on the cribbing for the rear mount installation. Mike and Jim observe as Brian eases the boom into position.
Rex, Austin and Grant install the rear firebox mounts. These mounts rest on the upper arms of the rear frame extension and support the rear of the boiler. Two forward firebox mounts will be installed at a later date. The next step will be the job briefing conducted by Brian Gilbert. Everyone’s assignments will be reviewed, any questions will be answered, and on-lookers will be asked to remain a minimum of thirty feet clear of the operation.
The boiler is off the trailer, the truck is out of the way, and the lift continues. Mike and Ted are in charge of the taglines, and the team of observers watches for any untoward movement of the boiler, frame, or crane.
39,700 pounds of refurbished boiler are about to meet the 24,300-pound frame. (l-r) Rob, Marty, and Jim F.
The boiler is mere inches from the frame, but some of the smokebox rivets are about to contact the cylinder saddle. The lift is stopped, the boiler raised a foot and moved farther back, and then the instalation continues. (l-r) Two on-lookers, Rob, Mike, and Jim P.)
DONE! After C&TSRR photographer Roger Hogan took pictures of the entire lift team plus all those witnessing the event, the on-site 463 members posed for this Ted Smith photograph. (l-r) Jim Florey, Barb Florey, Marty Knox, Mike Thode, Rex Witten, Austin Witten, Grant Witten, and Jim Poston.
For several hours the newly-installed boiler remained outside for passers-by to see, then it was slowly moved back into the shop where the restoration will continue. Thirty-two tons of 463 move into the Monte Vista shop. Not visible is the safety strap connecting the locomotive to the forklift, and the observer team stands ready with chocks and chains should they be needed.
Chocks and chains in place, the forklift backs away from the locomotive. Grant and Austin monitor the action, then look for their next assignment. This was a well-planned, well-executed event put into action by a very cooperative team. All involved willingly took and gave directions that were in the best interest of the project and its participants. To the Project 463 team, a huge ‘Thank You’ for making this past Friday an absolutely excellent day.
Wednesday 10-August-2011 Late Tuesday night the 463 Boiler made it to Monte Vista, Colorado! The frame has been prepared to receive the Boiler and work to put those two sections together will begin on Friday! Driver Boxes are underway and expected according to schedule. Each day brings us a few tasks closer to the grand locomotive's completion. A HUGE Thank You to all who contributed time, talent and funding to this wonderful piece of history! There are still opportunities to bring this rare piece back to full operation. There is room for you to volunteer and lend your hand in this restoration project. The only skill required is your enthusiasm! There are tasks for both the skilled and the unskilled volunteer! Contact us if you are interested and able! Here is a picture of the Boiler while being worked on in Alabama. (Update - 08/10/2011 10:35pm MT)
The 463's boiler in Monte Vista, CO. The air pump frame and left-side check valve are mounted on the side of the boiler, and all flues, tubes, the superheater header and the superheaters have been installed. Tuesday 09-August-2011 (Photos by Jim Poston) In our last episode, the 463’s frame was inverted for welding repairs, tapered bolt installation, and other work that could be better performed with the frame in that position. Our story continues…
The arrows indicate where welding will be performed - orange where the boiler’s expansion brackets had worn the underside of the frame, white for the hidden crack revealed by last March's radiographic inspection, and yellow for where the frame had been eroded by the action of the trailing truck springs. Following the repairs, these areas and others will be heat-treated to relieve stresses introduced by welding.
The expansion brackets had also worn the sides of the rear frame extensions. More welding was done to return them to their design width of 3-1/2”. The brass driver shoe C-clamped to the frame supported the bead of the first welding pass – the weld does not adhere to the brass, and subsequent passes will ‘rest’ upon the first bead.
Four new tapered frame bolts were installed above the Axle #1 location where the front frame extension attaches to the main frame. The bolts are machined from 4140 steel and have a taper of 1/16” per foot. The bolt-head 'extensions' were later removed and the heads ground to the appropriate profile.
Marty Knox torching a frame bolt that needed to be replaced. A hole was drilled through the length of the bolt, a larger drill followed, then the torch was used to help complete the bolt removal.
“D& RG S 1931 AMSCO” was found on the drawbar pocket casting.
The worn Bissell post bushing needed to be replaced. Here, Marty is using a cut-off wheel to remove a segment of the bushing.
The bushing partially removed. Dry ice and perseverance really helped. The bushing with the segment removed, two previously broken flange pieces, and a tape measure for scale.
Steve Forney demonstrating the technique for valve stud removal. The valve and cylinder heads do not use gaskets, so the studs are being removed to allow lapping of the sealing surfaces.
The bottom of the cylinder castings and other hard-to-reach places had anti-rust paint applied prior to the frame going right-side up. (That's the summary of work performed through the first weeks of July, 2011. Stay tuned for updates of the frame going upright, the initial frame alignment checks, and Friends volunteers donating their time at the shop in Monte Vista, CO.) Posted: 08 Jun 2011 04:16 PM PDT With welding and other repairs needed on underside of the frame of Locomotive 463, the decision was made to invert the frame 1) to avoid the difficulties of overhead welding, 2) to expedite work on the pedestal jaws and binders, and 3) for any other work done more easily with the frame in this position. Taking part in this effort were Max Casias, José Rodriguez and Jake Vigil of the Railroad; Donnie Barton, Brian Gilbert and Jim Barr of Monte Vista Machine Tool & Crane Service (MVMT); Rob Creech of Creech Logging; and Marty Knox and Jim Poston of the "Monte Vista Locomotive Works". (Photos by José Rodriguez and Jim Poston)
463’s frame up on ‘skates’ for rollout for crane access. (L-R: Marty Knox, Jim Barr, José Rodriguez, Jake Vigil, Max Casias)
Detail of frame/tie/skate configuration.
Rails and ties delivered from Antonito by Rob Creech. (L-R: Max, Jake [on the trailer]; José, Rob, and Marty [on the ground])
Two cranes from Monte Vista Machine Tool & Crane Service – 25-ton capacity on the left; 75-ton on the right.
Staging the first rail of the "Monte Vista Narrow Gauge Railroad." (L-R: Max, Marty, Jake, and José)
Positioning a buffer tie on skid-steer forks prior to moving the frame outside. (José, Max)
(L-R) Brian Gilbert, Donnie Barton, and Jim Barr of Monte Vista Machine Tool and Crane Service.
With the front part of the frame supported by the 75-ton crane, Max controls the motion of the frame as it's eased farther out of the shop.
According to the load cell on the 75-ton crane, there’s 24,300 pounds on the hook. The frame will next be lowered to the cribbing, cables from the two cranes will be attached, and rotation of the frame will begin. (L-R: Brian, Marty)
With the cables from the 25-ton crane still attached to the left side of the frame, but the frame supported by the 75-ton crane, the assembly has gone over-center. The next step is to detach the lower cables, then position the 25-ton boom so the cables can be re-attached to complete the inversion.
Another view of the over-center frame.
The first piece of rolling stock on MVNGRR rails.
Frame inversion nearing completion. The frame will be lowered onto two shop trucks for ease of movement in the future. (L-R: Jake, Marty, Brian [in crane cab]).
The inverted frame on shop trucks and back inside awaiting repairs. PhotoPosted: 08 Jun 2011 04:16 PM PDT With welding and other repairs needed on underside of the frame of Locomotive 463, the decision was made to invert the frame 1) to avoid the difficulties of overhead welding, 2) to expedite work on the pedestal jaws and binders, and 3) for any other work done more easily with the frame in this position. Taking part in this effort were Max Casias, José Rodriguez and Jake Vigil of the Railroad; Donnie Barton, Brian Gilbert and Jim Barr of Monte Vista Machine Tool & Crane Service (MVMT); Rob Creech of Creech Logging; and Marty Knox and Jim Poston of the "Monte Vista Locomotive Works". (Photos by José Rodriguez and Jim Poston)
463’s frame up on ‘skates’ for rollout for crane access. (L-R: Marty Knox, Jim Barr, José Rodriguez, Jake Vigil, Max Casias)
Detail of frame/tie/skate configuration.
Rails and ties delivered from Antonito by Rob Creech. (L-R: Max, Jake [on the trailer]; José, Rob, and Marty [on the ground])
Two cranes from Monte Vista Machine Tool & Crane Service – 25-ton capacity on the left; 75-ton on the right.
Staging the first rail of the "Monte Vista Narrow Gauge Railroad." (L-R: Max, Marty, Jake, and José)
Positioning a buffer tie on skid-steer forks prior to moving the frame outside. (José, Max)
(L-R) Brian Gilbert, Donnie Barton, and Jim Barr of Monte Vista Machine Tool and Crane Service.
With the front part of the frame supported by the 75-ton crane, Max controls the motion of the frame as it's eased farther out of the shop.
According to the load cell on the 75-ton crane, there’s 24,300 pounds on the hook. The frame will next be lowered to the cribbing, cables from the two cranes will be attached, and rotation of the frame will begin. (L-R: Brian, Marty)
With the cables from the 25-ton crane still attached to the left side of the frame, but the frame supported by the 75-ton crane, the assembly has gone over-center. The next step is to detach the lower cables, then position the 25-ton boom so the cables can be re-attached to complete the inversion.
Another view of the over-center frame.
The first piece of rolling stock on MVNGRR rails.
Frame inversion nearing completion. The frame will be lowered onto two shop trucks for ease of movement in the future. (L-R: Jake, Marty, Brian [in crane cab]).
The inverted frame on shop trucks and back inside awaiting repairs. |
