Christmas Trains...

The 2012 Christmas Trains were held on December 8th and 9th, and the weather could not have been better. Ridership was good, we had a lot of support from Sumpter, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. For 2013 we will be offering two weekends for Christmas Trains, the last weekend of November and the first weekend of December, with a night train on December 14th for the Sumpter tree lighting and parade.

 Dawn at McEwen, the temperature is 9 degrees.

The sun is just hitting the peaks of the Elkhorn Mountains.

John Rollins rides the pilot as the passenger train is made up for the first run of the day.

 Santa is at the station to greet the train and get your Christmas lists.

 Number 3 departs Sumpter in a cloud of steam and smoke.

The last train arrives in McEwen just as the snow begins to fall.

Winter Work...

After the photo trains in mid-october, the railroad enters a somewhat dormant period prior to the Christmas Trains. As the temperature drops and the snow starts to fly, equipment is moved in for winter storage. The shops remain active as there is always repair work to be done, or special projects to be completed.

The first snow of the year piles a few inches on the equipment on display at McEwen.

With number 19 still under repair, work moves forward on equipping the Heisler with a snow plow in case it is needed for the Christmas Trains. Here we find Eric Wunz, Jim Grigsby, and Jerry Huck discussing how to mount the plow to the pilot.

A head on shot of the plow, a former highway unit, as it is getting fitted to the Heisler. The plow has been used sparingly in the past, usually with diesel switcher number 110. 

The Heisler being switched out so that we can access equipment stored behind it in the shop. Note that all the brass work and jewelry has been removed for winter, and that the pilot steps have been taken off to fit the snowplow. 

Diesel-electric number 720 is spending the winter in the Restoration Shop, and its a tight fit. It is hoped that this locomotive can be returned to service in the near future as it would be ideal for off-season events and snow plowing.

The plow has been fitted and given a festive paint job for the Christmas Trains. In the end, the snow wasn't deep enough to require the plow. Oh well, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. 

Fall Foliage and Photographers Weekend...

Every year in mid-October the Sumpter Valley Railroad runs a weekend of photo trains that feature much of the operable freight and passenger car fleet with a backdrop of fall colors. Heisler number 3 has been handling the show for the past few years, but both locomotives should be available for 2013.
Visit our official website at www.sumptervalleyrailroad.org for more information.

Number 19 Progress...

Work is continuing on Sumpter Valley Railway number 19. The new firebox sheets are going in, the fireman's side reinforcing plate for the boiler check has been replaced, and the boiler is almost ready for tubes.

The old boiler check patch has been removed, and the area has been cleaned and the boiler shell is being dye checked for cracking.

The new patch has been rolled to match the boiler diameter, and it is being test fitted prior to drilling.

The boiler contractors are checking the internal fit of the new reinforcing plate.

With the cab floor removed it was possible to remove the last of the mudring rivets.

 The new plate being drilled out on the railroad's refurbished drill press.

The new patch is being bored out and aligned prior to riveting.

Hot riveting is underway on the fireman's side.

The last rivet is being driven home.

Both the front and rear tube sheets were also cleaned and dye tested to check for cracking. Both sheets are in very good condition and required only minimal repair.

The new boiler tubes are ready to be installed.

Heisler Boiler Wash...

Every 31 service days a steam locomotive must have its boiler drained, washed out, water glasses inspected and cleaned, and the firebox inspected and hammer tested. With the new regiment of boiler treatment we have been using, we were expecting a large amount of scale to come out in the wash. It turned out to only be a few cups of accumulation from the tubes, which is a very good.

The rear belly plug is out and sitting on the frame. Notice a little bit of color in the water as it drains out.

Four plugs in the mud ring, two in the boiler belly, two on the back head, and two in the "wagon top" section of the boiler. They all come out to gain access to different sections of the boiler interior with the washing wand. 

The fire car pulls double duty on a wash day. One person runs the pump and maintains the water level while another washes the boiler. Both people tend to get very wet.

Steve Christy rolls up the hoses after Taylor Rush has replaced the washout plugs, done the firebox inspection, and refilled the boiler.

Good for another 31 days of service.

After being refilled with water, a small fire is lit and the locomotive is very slowly warmed up. Not only does this help reduce stresses, but it allows for a quicker hostling the following day.