Boiler Work

When the boiler was inspected six years ago it found the boiler's existing conditon would allow us to run it for about 2 seasons before any tubes would require replacement.

The testing phase of the locomotive used one season and we got another season in 2003. And thus it has come time to retube the boiler in order to get reliable and dependable operation out of the steam locomotive.

These photos below show the many stages required to retube a boiler.

Removing the water tanks in December 2003

Removing the smoke box door.

Removing the sand domes and lagging.

The Wab stripped back to the boiler.

Mike Barnes grinding back the welds on the tubes. Jan 2004

Removing the orginal tubes. Notice the steps made to allow easy access into the smoke box. 6th Feb 2004

Tube plate showing the removed tubes.

Once the tubes were removed we can then get into the boiler. This shows Mike Higgie attempting to climb out of the boiler through the steam dome. Its a very tight fit.

Inside the boiler. The scale came off the tubes when they were removed from the boiler. 14th Feb 2004

While we were inside the boiler we carefully inspected the extra row of stays for cracks from the inside. We did found a couple, a photo below shows the crack being repaired.

One of the cracks repaired in 1998. It was welded from the outside only.

Firstly the crack needs to drilled and prepared for welding.

Preparing crack for welding

Welding the crack. 3rd April 2004

We have purchased new tubes. The smoke box end needs to be pressed smaller to fit into the tube plate. April 2004

Installing the tubes into the boiler.

Certified welder welding the tubes in at the firebox end.

In the smoke box end a tool is used to expand the tubes to give a steam tight seal. A hydraulic was performed and passed after a few minor leaks were repaired. Once the loco was steam tested successfully, work began installing the new sheeting and installing a new brick arch. 9th May 2004.

A hydraulic was performed and passed after a few minor leaks were repaired. Once the loco was steam tested successfully, work began installing the new sheeting and installing a new brick arch. 26th June 2004

New stainless steel sheeting has been made. 21st July 2004

The new brick arch is now installed a task carried out by our own staff. The bricks were made in Huntly. 4th September 2004

Using the society's ganty crane to fit the the water tanks back on the Wab. 11th September 2004

During October 2004 all the cab fittings have been reinstalled. This includes the steam pipes, lubricator pipes, the complete braking system. The braking system has been tested for leaks and more tests will continue to ensure that all is within code. The Wab has also been steam tested and all appears to be working well.

We removed the sniffer valves and blew out the super heater tubes, this cleared out rust and dirt from the tubes so it does not go thru the engine units. 20th October 2004

The Wab has since run many excursions. To see images check out the photos on the Photos page.

Back

	Removing the water tanks in December 2003
	Removing the smoke box door.
	Removing the sand domes and lagging.
	The Wab stripped back to the boiler.
	Mike Barnes grinding back the welds on the tubes. Jan 2004
	Removing the orginal tubes. Notice the steps made to allow easy access into the smoke box. 6th Feb 2004
	Tube plate showing the removed tubes.
	Once the tubes were removed we can then get into the boiler. This shows Mike Higgie attempting to climb out of the boiler through the steam dome. Its a very tight fit.
	Inside the boiler. The scale came off the tubes when they were removed from the boiler. 14th Feb 2004
	While we were inside the boiler we carefully inspected the extra row of stays for cracks from the inside. We did found a couple, a photo below shows the crack being repaired.
	One of the cracks repaired in 1998. It was welded from the outside only.
	Firstly the crack needs to drilled and prepared for welding.
	Preparing crack for welding
	Welding the crack. 3rd April 2004
	We have purchased new tubes. The smoke box end needs to be pressed smaller to fit into the tube plate. April 2004
	Installing the tubes into the boiler.
	Certified welder welding the tubes in at the firebox end.
	In the smoke box end a tool is used to expand the tubes to give a steam tight seal. A hydraulic was performed and passed after a few minor leaks were repaired. Once the loco was steam tested successfully, work began installing the new sheeting and installing a new brick arch. 9th May 2004.
	A hydraulic was performed and passed after a few minor leaks were repaired. Once the loco was steam tested successfully, work began installing the new sheeting and installing a new brick arch. 26th June 2004
	New stainless steel sheeting has been made. 21st July 2004
	The new brick arch is now installed a task carried out by our own staff. The bricks were made in Huntly. 4th September 2004
	Using the society's ganty crane to fit the the water tanks back on the Wab. 11th September 2004