In 2008, we contracted with a very experienced and respected locomotive boiler inspector, Dave Griner, of Arizona Mechanical Engineering, to examine the boilers on both Southern Pacific 2353 and Coos Bay 11.

Photo 1: Hoisting off the front

It was decided that Southern Pacific 2353 would be too expensive to restore at this time (see link), so we continued to evaluate Coos Bay 11. Mr Griner was optimistic in his visual examination of Coos Bay 11. Because it is such a major part of the locomotive, and probably the most expensive to repair, the boiler will be the first thing to take a good look at.

Photo 2: Front end

In addition to a visual examination, it will be necessary to do a complete ultrasound examination of the boiler to determine the thickness of the steel. Areas that have eroded to the point that they would be unsafe under pressure will need to be replaced, so the ultrasound testing will determine the extent of repairs needed to the boiler. Certainly, repairs to other parts of the locomotive will also be needed.

Photo 4: Superheaters before removal

In order to get a good look at both the exterior and interior surfaces of the boiler, it would be necessary to remove the outer jacket and asbestos insulation, and all the boiler tubes. Then, all the accumulated scale and other crud that has collected inside the boiler would have to be cleaned out.

Fortunately, a number of years ago, a generous donor had agreed to do asbestos abatement work on all five of the steam locomotives we have at Campo. As part of that process, the saddle tank and sheet metal jacket had also been removed, so the locomotive was ready for us to start doing our job.

Photo 5: After the removal of the superheaters

During the past several years, our volunteers have worked on this project, putting in over 1,100 man-hours (including some woman-hours). Sometimes the progress was very slow, since a number of jobs required extensive "learning time."

Photo 6: Mike cutting out a flue

Photo 7: Pulling out a flue

Photo 8: Cutting out a tube

Photo 9: Boden Oil Burner

Photo 10: Removing the throttle valve

Photo 11: Cylinder valve

Photo 3: Fire brick removal

Photo 12: Firebox before sandblasting

Photo 13: Firebox after sandblasting

Photo 14: Boiler interior, before sandblasting

Photo 15: Boiler interior, after sandblasting

In approximate order, we accomplished the following:

Removed the:			smoke box door smoke box front		Photo 1
			petticoat pipe blast pipe smoke box baffle		Photo 2
			fire brick from the fire box		Photo 3
			all 26 superheater units throttle spool		Photos 4 & 5
			23 of the 26 superheater flues		Photos 6 & 7
			160 boiler tubes (short stubs remain at both tube sheets)		Photo 8
			oil burner		Photo 9
			throttle 14 of 23 wash-out plugs		Photo 10
And we:			wire-brushed and vacuumed out all tubes prior to removal
			pressure washed the boiler interior
			cleaned out the sand domes (2)
			lubricated the running gear so the locomotive could be moved
			inspected the valve cylinders		Photo 11
			boxed and stored the cross-compound air compressor
			made covers for the dry pipe and superheater header
			had the boiler interior sand-blasted by a contractor		Photos 12-16
			vacuumed and washed remaining sand from around the mud ring
			Bob, Jim, Mike and Rich pose on #11		Banner Photo
Now (Aug., 2010) our next few jobs:
			lubricate the running gear again
			lubricate the running gear again
			remove the tube stubs from the front tube sheet
			remove the remaining wash-out plugs
			draw a 1ft. X 1 ft. grid on the boiler for ultrasound measurements
Status for year end 2010:
			Running gear has been thoroughly lubricated
			All wash-out plugs have been removed, lubricated, and re-installed to keep out the rain
			A plywood cover for the front of the smoke box was fabricated and installed
			Thirty of the 160 tube stubs have been removed from the front tube sheet
			Most of a 1 ft. X 1 ft. grid has been drawn on the boiler
For the first part of 2011 we plan to:
			Finish removing the tube stubs from the front tube sheet
			Finish drawing the ultrasound grid
			Do the ultrasound testing