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Tips For Locomotive Restoration
Over the last year or so, I have been contacted by a number of people intersted in restoring steam locomotives. After all I have been through over the past decade, the best advice I can give to anyone interested in undertaking such a project is as follows:
Money
Accumulate a huge pile of money and then we'll talk. If the boiler of your locomotive is covered in asbestos lagging, budget at least $100,000 for an asbestos abatement. If you want to replace your locomotive's boiler jacket, and sand blast and paint the locomotive, and do general repairs, budget another $100,000. The same with moves, If you want to relocate your locomotive add another $100,000 to the budget. Of course these figures are
representative of some of the costs that will be incurred with the 6167, and will go up or down depending on the size and condition of your locomotive. In short, do not waste your time on this stuff unless you have the money. Once proper funding is obtained everything will fall into place. Having a
municipal government with some sort of intelligence is a plus as well.
Boiler Jacket
If your boiler jacket looks like a piece of Swiss cheese then here's what you do. Remove everything off of the boiler, remove the jacket, and then have the asbestos removed by an appropriate contractor. SAVE THE JACKET! Even if its about to
disintegrate into a pile of rust, you can still use it as a pattern for a new jacket. When it comes time to apply the new jacket, DO NOT INSTALL LAGGING if your engine is not going to run. Lagging will only hold moisture which will rot out the boiler shell and that new jacket from the inside out. Line the boiler shell with wooden blocks. Choose a type of wood that can withstand exposure to water. On CNR 6213, I believe cedar was used around the boiler and foam blocks were used around the firebox. This system works
exceptionally well. We can run up and down the boiler all day long with no problem. Lastly, water WILL get under the jacket regardless of what you do, so instead of living in denial, PLAN AHEAD. Put some holes in the bottom of the jacket to allow water to easily escape the jacket. CNR 6213's jacket is about 23 years old and is still in excellent shape.
Gauges
Another piece of priceless advice I can give, is protect your gauge's with your life, especially if its a Canadian locomotive. I have spent years looking for replacement gauge's for 6167, and they cannot be found. In the very rare occasion they do come on the market, they typically go for ridiculous prices that most outfits cannot afford. Also many collectors are determined to take them to their graves. So GUARD YOUR GAUGES!
When you get your funding, I will be more then happy to help you with your restoration in anyway I can.
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