Milestones achieved! Saginaw Timber Company No. 2, one of the steam locomotives under restoration at Mid-Continent Railway Museum, passed its Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hydrostatic test with flying colors. A hydrostatic test involves filling the boiler with water at high pressure to help in finding any leaks. Yesterday the FRA made the final internal inspection in which all of the internal braces were checked to ensure that they were tight and under load. No. 2 successfully passed this test as well. These tests were the last regulatory hurdle before steam tests can begin.The initial steam test is currently scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9. The tender (fuel and water car) was mated with locomotive yesterday in order to provide the fuel oil and water for the upcoming test. After the steam test, the locomotive will undergo final assembly, including adding insulation and outer jacket to the boiler and the reinstallation of the locomotive cab. One final FRA test will then be needed before it is FRA-approved for operations. Volunteers are still needed and are welcome to assist in the final assembly and testing! Saginaw Timber Company No. 2 has been out-of-service since February 2000. It was the last steam locomotive to operate at Mid-Continent Railway Museum with the exception of a 9-day visit by Flagg Coal Company No. 75 in 2011.
Posted on: Mon, 06 Oct 2014 20:39:41 +0000
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