#4483 in the 2010's |
 "©2015 smph50 - Valve chest and cylinder jacketing. (10K)") |
The galvanized sheet metal on the valve chest and cylinders, which was installed at WABCO, was a constant problem. No matter what primer we tried, the new paint would eventually fall off. In 2015, Society member Bill Dudley had offered to make new boiler jacketing for the locomotive and we accepted his offer. A small test piece was make and checked for fit. |  "©2015 smph50 - Bob M. checks new boiler jacket for correct fit. (10K)") |
September 2016
 "©2016 smph50 - Engineers' side valve chest and cylinder before needle scaling. (10K)") |
Many, many measurements were taken of the boiler noting where the original mounting brackets were located. Detailed cutting diagrams were made using old B&W photo's as a guide. Bill started making the four firebox flat sheets in late 2015 and by the end of summer 2016, 16 separate sheets of 18 gauge curved steel were ready. On September 5th, 2016 we removed the over 30 year old valve chest and cylinder jackets. |  "©2016 smph50 - Firemans' side valve chest and cylinder needle scaled and wire brushed. (10K)") |
 "©2016 smph50 - 50 amp LOTOS© plasma Cutter. (10K)") |
Using the old galvanized sheet metal for a template, cutting lines were laid out on the new 18 gauge steel sheets. I used a 50 amp LOTOS© plasma cutter to easily cut out all the curved lines and holes on the four sheets. Plasma cutting generates very little heat so Masonite© hardboard templates were made to guide the torch head for nice even cuts. Some quick grinding cleaned up the slag on the edges. |  "©2016 smph50 - Top of valve chest jacket cut out to fit over piping. (10K)") |
 "©2016 smph50 - Old cut off bolts and new drilled and tapped 5/16\" holes. (10K)") |
With the old sheet metal removed it became apparent how many times these sheets have been replaced. Numerous old bolts, both steel and brass, that were cut off at the head remained in the cast steel. Rick B. and I drilled and tapped 16 holes that will be used for new 5/16" stainless steel bolts. Some minor adjustments were made on the sheet metal for a perfect fit. |  "©2016 smph50 - Engineers' side valve chest jacket sheet in place. (10K)") |
October 2016
 "©2016 smph50 - Valve chest and cylinder casting needle scaled, wire brushed and primed. (10K)") |
With great October weather, we needle scaled and then wire brushed the cylinder castings for a nice clean surface. A coat of KemBond© primer was applied one week followed with a top coat of left over catalyzed urethane enamel. All four jacket sheets received the same treatment. Once the sheets are in place we will top coat the exterior with Pennsylvania "Dark Green Locomotive Enamel." (black) |  "©2016 smph50 - Catalyzed urethane enamel top coat. (10K)") |
 "©2016 smph50 - Engineers' side top and bottom sheet steel bolted into place. (10K)") |
On the 17th, we bolted the two pieces of the cylinder jacket sheet metal to the locomotive. The 3/8" speed nut clips on the lower sheet lined up perfect with the holes in the top sheet. All 20 threaded holes got a dab of "Permatex® Anti-Seize" before the stainless steel bolts were screwed in place. Thanks to Mike M. for the use of his pneumatic offset flange tool. |  "©2016 smph50 - Engineers' side fully primed and ready for top coat paint. (10K)") |
June 2017
| Over the summer of 2017, work continued on the fireman's side cylinders using the same proceedure we used on the engineer's side. All the old bolts were drilled out and the holes re-tapped for the new 3/8" stainless steel bolts. Both the inside and the outside of the cylinder cover was primed and then the inside painted. The following week the cover was bolted on. |
Spring - Summer 2018
| All efforts during 2018 were turned to getting Buffalo Creek #43 ready to run. Everyone worked on last minute details getting the diesel engine ready to start. This left no spare hands to work on #4483. |
Spring 2019
 "©2019 smph50 - Engineers' side fully primed and ready for top coat paint. (10K)") |
With BC #43 running with new batteries, new member Kyle D. worked on the I1 scraping, wire brushing and needle scaling the air tanks and pilot of #4483. Once all the fresh metal was primed, he applied fresh locomotive black to the front of the engine including the primed cylinder covers. We were all very pleased with the results. |  "©2019 smph50 - Engineers' side fully primed and ready for top coat paint. (10K)") |
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