Work Session Status Week Ending 01/07/2017

January 11, 2017

Since I last wrote, the winter solstice is behind us and the days are getting a bit longer which means warmer days. Right? Right! Anyway the volunteers are still layered up and working through the cold mornings and afternoons.

Progress is being made in several areas. As with most weeks work continues on superheater hydro tests, 26L components connections, jacketing work is ongoing and our machinists are constantly fabricating various small parts replacing those items which are no longer useful.

Small bore cab piping is being researched and installed. Valve handles and extension universal rods are being connected to various turret valves. Piping from these valves, such as the dynamo control valves are being readied for installation.

One of the dynamos was permanently bolted in place and awaits it’s control piping.

Various cab brackets are being designed on a CAD system and fabricated for various gauges and valves. The engineer’s side blow down valve was reinstalled.

Throttle valve lapping is nearing it’s final stages. This is a slow process but very necessary.

Some of the female bolt threads on the steam chest slide valve were in poor condition. Our workers drilled a minute larger hole and re-tapped the hole for the larger bolt. The machine shop then fabricated a special bolt with two diameters so it would still fit the original hole in the cylinder head.

This weekend will be our General Meeting at 8:30 AM, and if it’s raining we’ll have to work out a place to meet. Come earlier if you can to help with chairs.

The following weekend, 1/21/17, is our annual safety refresher. Warren Scholl will be officiating and will be tilted toward GCOR Blue Flag practices. It should take most of the morning and writing materials are encouraged. It will be held at the Local 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Hall at 510 San Pedro SE. It will be from 8 AM sharp to about noon. Remember, this is NOT a New Member orientation, but it might be good to go through the class anyway if you so choose.

Hope to see everyone at the site this week, and as always . . .

Keep on Steamin’,
Rick Kirby, CMO
NMSL&RHS