Steamtown Visit - 7/27/2018

Nice pics and thanks for sharing.

I won't be visiting until 3713 is completed.  The goal is 2020-2021 subject to money and manpower.  They've been working on the tender of late.  The trucks are fully dis-assembled for cleaning/sandblasting.  The water tank is getting manufactured at a vendor.   A lot of the appliances are out at vendors getting rebuilt.  Things are moving along.   The new superintendent seams to really have her act together with the goal of getting 3713 done sooner rather than later.

How are you ever going to decide which of those priceless photos that feature your son will be enlarged, printed-up, and framed for display on a wall?!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful memory the two of you have made for each other. You are, indeed, blessed, sir.

FrankM

Glad you both had a great time, and saw an operational steam engine.

(Wow, 3713, a restoration that is still going since 1995. What an embarrassment. Reminds me of 1361.)

Craignor posted:

(Wow, 3713, a restoration that is still going since 1995. What an embarrassment. Reminds me of 1361.)

It should be noted that the work on 3713 has been funded exclusively by donations.  Within the past year or so, following the completion of #26, Steamtown management made a commitment of money and manpower to get things moving.  I believe they currently have three components being worked on off-site, and also work being completed on-site.  Getting mainline steam up and running is a priority at the park now so expect to see some progress.

I wanted to double check before I posted - drivers were pulled and sent to Strasburg for rehab, a new tender body is being constructed by Oak's Welding (the same firm that built a new one for CNJ 113), and a new cab is also being built by Hopkins Manufacturing.  All of this is happening as we speak.  They have also purchased new wheels, axles and bearings for the pilot truck.  

I believe the shop crew is currently working on the tender frame, which will be upgraded to roller bearings.  Steam Services of America was doing contract work on the boiler, I don't know if they are also handling the firebox.  Their newsletter states that $654,000 has been allocated by the Parks Service for restoration work, which is a certainly a sizable commitment.  

Essentially, after much thought, there was an agreement made between the 3713 group and the park superintendent which outlined what each party would be responsible for and a prospective timeline.  This seems to have had a positive effect and while three years may be a stretch (would have been June of 2019), I do think you will see her under steam by 2020/1, depending on what point in the season she is completed and if they want to waste flue time.  

This is, of course, dependent on donations.  I am sure we will hear more at Railfest.  

When I was at the Strasburg Rail Road in late June, I came across the wheels for Boston & Maine no. 3713, and they are coming along really well. 

This third set is getting a new axle machined by Strasburg, and Steamtown provided the billet of steel that was being machined.  I did not find the axle, but the parts might be attached now.  We expect them to be back at Steamtown by the end of the Summer.   The cab is being fabricated in Dalton, PA and the tender tank is being fabricated in Ashland, PA.  Bids are in on the remaining boiler work, which should begin soon.  The lead truck is being adapted with roller bearings at a machine shop out near Altoona, while the steam booster is waiting for its contractor to come to Scranton for its work.  Meanwhile, the tedious work of  dis-assembling the tender trucks and cleaning, bead-blasting, priming and painting of the springs, equalizers, hangers and brake rigging is being done at the Steamtown shop, mostly on Saturdays.

The Summer newsletter is due out this week, I believe, to catch you up on developments.  If you have a nickel or two to spare on this locomotive, www.project3713.com is the place to find out how you can help.

BTW, great shots jdevleer.  I'm glad you had the chance to visit Steamtown, and had a great time.

Tim, thanks for posting the photo of the drivers.  I think Steamtown has really found a winning formula for expediting restoration work with such a small shop crew.