SLIM PRINCESS #9 RESTORATION UPDATE
It was Christmas in October for the Engine House Crew when Randy Babcock and Scott Kennedy, engineers from the American Heritage Railroad, arrived one crisp Autumn morning for the long-awaited boiler assessment of our historic steam locomotive. Randy and Scott were necessarily slim stand-ins for Santa, as they descended through and ascended from the engine’s steam dome and crawled into and out from her firebox to determine the condition of stay-bolts and other components of the engine’s anatomy.
Law’s restoration volunteers have spent the past year preparing for the inspection: removing and storing components, removing and stabilizing rust, and raising funds. A few regular train crew members were present for the two-day inspection process, but none were passive bystanders. Laws crew members assisted in marking the exterior of the boiler in grids for ultrasound testing, documented the process, removed and stored throttle and plugs, and interpreted the scene for visitors who stopped by. Visitors included engineers from other narrow-gauge railroads who had heard about the big day (it’s a small world out there). Some Laws crew folks took a turn inside the firebox, for better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the 116-year-old engine.
Many medical metaphors abounded in the assessment process: endoscopic cameras were dropped through the steam dome for identifying interior problems; ultrasonic probes were applied to the grids on the boiler’s exterior. And just as with medical assessment, the diagnosis will require evaluation of all the data, and the full report will be available in another month or so.
Many many thanks to all the restoration crew members and donors who made this two-day process possible! The dedicated work of the past year has been brutal at times, but all the preparation for this inspection has paid off, and it was gratifying to hear engineers from larger railroads acknowledge the astonishing teamwork and skill of our small crew.
Stay tuned!