786 restoration Progress

Ronnie Jones machining weld off old cylinder head inside cone extension. This cone was installed by Southern Pacific to accommodate the 1940's change of the piston from a 3 piece riveted style to Timken light weight design.

Cylinder heads, 2 front and 2 rear are going to be replaced due to severe deterioration of the outer flange seat. The cylinder head seals the steam in the cylinders and is attached to the cylinder with threaded studs and nuts. The heavy wall nuts pull the head to mate up flat seat sealing surfaces found on both cylinders and heads creating the seal. The cylinder head nuts are tightened to a specific calculated torque value so as not to stretch the threads. This combined with accurate fitting and good machine finishes will allow the locomotive to operate without leaking cylinder heads. This deterioration of the flange seat combined with the as built incorrect number and diameter of studs required to secure the heads to the cylinders will all be corrected with the new cylinders and cylinder head design.

Engine leading truck on February 11, preparing for disassembly & inspection.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Engine truck wheel set and lower frame with pilot bearing removed.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Ronnie Jones disassembling the pilot bearing part of the leading engine truck 3-3-09.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Engine truck disassembly 3-3-09 showing coil spring sitting on upper frame.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
The engine truck for 786 was disassembled on 3-3-09 for cleaning and inspection. This photo shows engine truck journal brass.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Engine truck wheel set and frame.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Engine truck disassembled and sent out for sand blasting 3-3-09.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Engine truck wheel set, frame and pilot bearing frame after sand blasting. 3-5-09.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation

Ronnie Jones machining weld off old cylinder head inside cone extension. This cone was installed by Southern Pacific to accommodate the 1940's change of the piston from a 3 piece riveted style to Timken light weight design. Cylinder heads, 2 front and 2 rear are going to be replaced due to severe deterioration of the outer flange seat. The cylinder head seals the steam in the cylinders and is attached to the cylinder with threaded studs and nuts. The heavy wall nuts pull the head to mate up flat seat sealing surfaces found on both cylinders and heads creating the seal. The cylinder head nuts are tightened to a specific calculated torque value so as not to stretch the threads. This combined with accurate fitting and good machine finishes will allow the locomotive to operate without leaking cylinder heads. This deterioration of the flange seat combined with the as built incorrect number and diameter of studs required to secure the heads to the cylinders will all be corrected with the new cylinders and cylinder head design.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation
Cylinder head inside cone extension removed. The shape of this cone is the mirror image of the piston.	Photo: Steam Operations Corporation