October 16, 2008

The firebox area is complete.  A few new stay bolts need to be installed, but all the hard tasks have been done.  The dry pipe has been re-installed, attached to the super heater header, and hydro tested.  The connections on the superheater header have all be cleaned up and are ready for mating to the super heaters (later).  The tubes & flues will need to be installed next.

The bottom of the smoke box will be fabricated in Muscle Shoals and welded to the smoke box when the boiler & frame are mated up in Muscle Shoals some time in 2009.

786 Boiler as it appears in late October, 2008.      Oct, 2008	Photo: John Mandell
Super heater header has been installed, attached to the dry pipe and pressure tested.  This shows the cleaned up connection points for the super heater tubes.     Oct, 2008	Photo: John Mandell
Inside the fire box.  A few stay bolts remaining to be installed and a few to be cut off. Since this picture was taken, the remaing stay bolts have been installed.     Oct, 2008	Photo: John Mandell
New stay bolts that will be installed.     Oct, 2008	Photo: John Mandell
Bob Yuill holds some of the tools used to cut the threads for the stay bolts.       Oct, 2008	Photo: John Mandell