The crew at the New Mexico Steam Locomotive shop, restoring Santa Fe 2926, are starting to install the flues into the boiler. They work two days a week. At the current rate, how long might it take them to get to the point of a hydrostatic test? Thanks, Dave
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A lot depends on what they want to hydro test, i.e. after the superheaters are installed assuming that each and ever super unit was individually hydro tested prior to installation, when that time comes. In other words, it could be many, many months yet.
The key point to remember is, the FRA "clock" starts running when the first flue/tube is installed, and they will be allowed one year "grace period", if I remember the rules correctly, until the first fire-up. That is when the 1472 days, 15 year, clock REALLY starts.
Thanks HW. I kinda figured it would be a few months, depends on what else they run into. I believe they are making all new superheater units, so I imagine they would test them individually before they stick them in the tubes. Easier to see leaks that way I suppose.
I was mainly curious because I'm going out that way in June and plan on stopping in to check it out. 
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