March 2025 Update
Our dedicated crews and volunteers at RRHMA-Silvis have been relentlessly working to push progress on our many ongoing projects throughout the first month of 2025. We would like to thank all of our donors for their continuing support for RRHMA-Silvis, your donations are what drive our success and keep us moving forward. January 2025 has been a very productive month for us, let us outline some of our major accomplishments as we close this month.
#3985
Crews on #3985 have been diligently working to bring us closer to a hydrostatic test of the boiler. Two of our major components have been our focus this month; the front and rear tube sheet. Since the return of our front tube sheet from having flue and tube holes water jetted, crews have begun working on precisely fitting the new sheet into the boiler whilst the rear tube sheet resumes flanging. This is a very long process, with lots of minor adjustments being made with every attempt to fit the tube sheet perfectly. Precise fitment is key for this particular sheet to ensure a steam-tight seal once tubes are installed.
In addition to the front tube sheet, crews have also been working on installing tapered crown staybolts into the firebox of #3985. These staybolts were removed because the decision was made to replace a section of the crown sheet, a crucial part of the firebox. In the attached photos included in our update, you can see crew dressing threads on the original roof sheet, while cutting new tapered threads on our new sheet. Our next order of staybolts will be delivered within the next few months, and our crews will be prepped and ready for further installation.
With all of the work being done directly on #3985, crews have also been working to take measurements to construct a draft of the drop-in oil tank for the centipede tender. Wood mock-ups were constructed to create a visual for how sections of the tank will fit inside the coal bunker of the engine. Drafts are still being created, and final copies will be completed soon and ready for construction.
#5511
#5511 has received lots of attention this month, with the main focus being cleaning and evaluating the condition of the boiler.
Volunteers have been working very hard to clean the mud ring of #5511 and drill staybolts inside the firebox. Crew have also been working to clean and dress the front tube sheet, with the rear tube sheet being next.
One of the projects that has been completed in addition to drilling staybolts, is the installation of two new staybolts inside the firebox of #5511. In our attached pictures, you can see irregular staybolt spacing on the backhead and door sheet of the firebox. This irregular spacing is due to the TTT-6 Class design from Union Pacific to be constructed either as an oil burner or converted to coal.
The spaces were left in the event that a mechanical coal stoker would be installed in the firebox to convert the engine’s fuel. However, this spacing does not meet a boiler safety factor of 4. To combat this, crews installed a staybolt in these spaces to bring the safety factor up beyond 4.
We are excited to share more progress with you as it becomes available. Please encourage your fellow train enthusiasts to become a member of RRHMA today, in order to stay up to date on all the latest progress on #3985 and #5511.
To help support RRHMA-Silvis and its mission to preserve railroading history, sign up for our email list or become a member today.
