Founded in 1961, TVRM already has the only North American Steam Locomotive Wheel Shop for locomotive driving wheel repair, and they are already doing such repair for other Locomotive owners. TVRM goals include having the equipment, tools, and expertise to maintain steam locomotives, including hard-to-find expertise in riveted boiler maintenance. TVRM has even obtained a true gem, an 1891 copy of Modern Steam Locomotive Construction.
Most of Mark's presentation was on the history and recent restoration of the Steam Locomotive "630", which was built by the American Locomotive Company in 1904. He even showed the 1899 original handwritten specification for the 630. The 630 was sold to East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad in Johnson City in 1952 and in 1967 was traded to Southern RailRoad for a Diesel locomotive. In 1978, the Southern Railroad sent the 630 to TVRM on long term loan. From 1979-1989, the 630 was used by TVRM for museum operations; it was donated to TVRM in 1998 and the restoration effort began. There were many regulations to be researched, some quite old: the first law for boiler safety was passed on 2/17/11, and amended in 1915 to become the basis of the Boiler Inspection Rules for the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Federal Railroad Administration, formed in the late 1980s, printed the inspection rules in the Federal Register. The rules have since been updated and are found in Part 230, Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The new rules allow for repairs to be made in accordance with an accepted national standard such as the National Boiler Inspection Code (NBIC) and the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (Section III code was originally for Locomotive Boilers!). The TVRM performed specified tests (such as ultrasonic) and measurements; then made the drawings and calculations needed to plan the replacements and repairs. For example there were thin spots in the Smokebox, where the metal was worn from 1/2" to now 1/16". Ingenious ways were found - to support parts (spider brace); to cut new parts (the water jet machine at McKee); to make re-useable casting instead of stamping; and to gain aid (TVA's Muscle Shoals Machine Shop 2 and the Boiler Maker Union #454). Numerous fascinating pictures of the work in progress were shown.
Many thanks to G. Mark Ray and slide assistant John Boone.
Find TVRM on the web at http://www.tvrail.com
Respectfully submitted
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