As you may have read on the IRM website, our Shay passed its final FRA tests last Sunday and is cleared for operation next year. Here's an eyewitness account from someone who was there:
Dateline: --- Illinois
Railway Museum /E. Union Illinois.--- October 28, 2018
J. Neils Lumber Co. Shay #5 was
given her final tests and inspections by the Federal Railway
Administration.
As part of the test the
Shay made a light trip out the west wye to Jefferson St. and return via the main
track and East Switch to sta. trk. 2. She had the same fireman [Jason Maxwell,
now Asst. Supt. of Steam] who worked her last revenue trip 19 years ago. Ray
Weart, Road Foreman of Engines, was engineer.
The FRA then wanted to
test her under load. It was decided to take the three passenger cars (2 R.I.
commuter coaches and a C&NW combine) standing in the station.
Since the only available qualified
steam tailhose Conductor (Sam Polonetzky), due to a shortage of electric conductor
volunteers, was working as a "swing" conductor for both the CAE 460 and CTA
4000's it become necessary for the two motormen to drop down as Conductor for
each other.
The Conductor got and hung
markers and tail hose. The Shay then tied on, quickly aired the train and the
brakes were tested. Orders were issued for a final test run from sta. trk. 2 to
Karstens shove to Schmidt main, and return to sta. trk. 2 at E. Union. Since
this trip was still part of the final test, no passengers were to be allowed.
However, just prior to departure a band of hobos, tramps and foamers from the
Steam Shop broke into the combine before the railroad special agents could be
summoned.
After the trip the Shay
was cut off and returned to the Steam Shop where the final paperwork was
done.
Oh, by the way, SHE
PASSED!!!
Illinois Railway Museum
mow has 2, two, certified, operating, steam locomotives.
Next summer will be
fun!
SAMUEL D.
POLONETZKY
Licensed
Professional Engineer of Illinois
6 comments:
I didn't know that pulling a train under load was a required part of the FRA test? Or was it that the inspector really really wanted to see a Shay actually run?
C Kronenwetter
He asked, we did!
Remember, the problem which kept it from being certified six weeks ago was not with the steam systems per say, but with the air compressor, which of course is powered by steam, and is needed to stop the train.
What exactly was the problem with the air compressor? I know that they were working on it during the members showcase weekend?
C Kronenwetter
Charlie- It failed the orifice test. Turned out to be a valve lift problem.
R. W. Schauer
Can you perhaps expand a bit on what the orifice test is and what it signifies? It's a term I had not previously heard. Good to see #5 running with much sound and fury.
C Kronenwetter
It tests compressor capacity against pressure. You have to maintain a certain pressure against an orifice (leak) of a given size, using no more than x strokes per minute. Googling "steam locomotive air compressor orifice test" will get you the Federal regs for it.
R. W. Schauer
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