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The PRR K-4s #1361
Steam Locomotive Restoration Project
This page was last updated on: Sunday, August 19, 2007 .
July 2006 K4 Update
These photographs were taken between January2006 and July 2006 by Charles Cantrell, 1361 Volunteer.
 The air motor is mounted to the throat-sheet using chains to facilitate reaming the sheet for new seats. You can see several of the seat locations already tapered. |
 Volunteers Charles Cantrell and John Fauzio ream staybolt seat locations on the throat-sheet. |
 Contractor Bill and volunteer John Fauzio man the air motor and continue reaming staybolt seats. |
 The tender water tank has been temporarily moved to the paint booth for storage. While there, the newly installed rivets are being caulked. |
 A view of the slope sheet area which has been caulked. |
 A view of the throat-sheet and boiler barrel showing the removal of all of the flexible staybolts. This was performed after it was discovered that one in three staybolts were cracked or in some other way defective. |
 Several of the new staybolt seats installed. |
 Here most of the staybolt seats have been installed and welded in place. Note the use of the copper band to prevent welding splatter or other damage from accruing to the cap threads during welding. |
 Both outer firebox sheets have been put into position. Shown here is the fireman’s side outer sheet being welded into place. |
 The roof sheet has been trimmed and is mounted into position prior to welding. |
 A newly fabricated outer sheet corner is mounted into position for welding. |
 A view of the newly install throat and barrel sheet staybolts from the inside of the boiler. The staybolts will now go through trimming and riveting to complete the installation. |
 Here you can see some of the stays which have been trimmed and riveted. |
 A view of the back-head mounted into position. |
 Most of the staybolts have been installed in the throat-sheet at this point. |
 Three quarter view of the outer sheet and throat-sheet work. |
 The brake rigging is being installed on the locomotive pony truck. |
 Having installed the new bushings for the swing bolster pins, the swing bolster and more brake rigging being installed in the pony truck. |
 Close up of the swing bolster rigging and brake components. |
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July 14, 2007 K4
Update
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM TEMPORARILY SUSPENDS K4 RESTORATION
ALTOONA, PA. -- The Railroaders Memorial Museum today announced that it has temporarily suspended daily restoration work on K4 1361 due to delays in expense reimbursement from the Commonwealth and concerns regarding the structural integrity of the K4's boiler. Daily shop work will cease within the next 10 days.
"We certainly regret having to make this decision. However, based on the information provided by our current employees and contractors, as well as our financial constraints, our only option is to drastically slow the pace of the K4 restoration project in order to properly complete the necessary engineering work on the boiler," said Scott Cessna, president and chief executive officer of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. "This will allow, once and for all, for the proper testing, repair, and documentation of the work necessary to bring the K4's boiler into compliance with Federal Railroad Administration regulations."
"There has been a change in reimbursement policy in Harrisburg as it relates to this project and we continue to work with the appropriate people there to obtain the reimbursement now properly due us in order to settle outstanding balances with our vendors. Those vendors who have already performed work on behalf of the project will be paid. This existing funding is secure and only the reimbursement method to obtain funds to pay for work already completed remains to be worked out with Harrisburg. Any level of additional funding over and above what we already have committed is tied to current budget negotiations in the Commonwealth," commented Cessna.
Cessna continued, "The Museum's Board of Directors has decided that when daily shop work resumes in earnest on PRR 1361, it will be done in Altoona at the new Harry Bennett Center, the Museum's roundhouse complex currently under construction. This will allow for more effective and efficient oversight of the project. It has been an insurmountable challenge to manage the project effectively while the restoration work was being performed in Scranton."
The Museum has completed the turntable installation and will shortly award the contract for the completion of the roundhouse itself.
During a recent examination of the boiler's roof sheet, the flat outer metal sheet on the roof of PRR 1361's Belpaire boiler, it was determined that portions of this sheet were too thin to allow the required safety factor for a boiler operated at pressure. The roof sheet must be in compliance with FRA regulations in order for the K4 to operate under its own power.
"I have the utmost respect for the current crew and contractors whose integrity demanded that they take the time to do the necessary calculations, examinations and measurements to catch this flaw before the boiler was completely closed and tubes/flues reinstalled." stated Cessna. "The Museum does not wish to rush into a fix simply to avoid further delays in an already long-delayed project. It is important, and required, that this be done properly, carefully, and within the safety guidelines established by the FRA."
All, Thanks for enduring the delay on website updates. Future updates will be posted intermittently. Regards. The Webmaster.
Stay tuned for additional photographs of the PRR K-4s #1361 Restoration!!
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