Back home to Farmington, we got a lot done today, Its late and I will post the Friday report tomorrow.
I’v got to go back to my real job in the morning 
Dave.
Got copies of the FRA inspection. Not as complex as I thought it would be, but interesting.
This is a PDF file, so you will have to click on it to read.
Were good for another year.
Dave
Day 5 14 June 2013:
Started Friday kinda buttoning up and re-assembling the engine after the FRA inspecting.
Started by re-attaching the cover plates for the inspection of stay bolts.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-55_zpsf4c1ad52.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-56_zpsefc74d46.jpg)
And the other side:
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-58_zps83e95a17.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-59_zps3909d2e7.jpg)
These “Stay Bolts” are high on the firebox and foreword of the cab. During inspection
Each stay bolt is tapped with a hammer and listened to for the “Ring” if it is broken it thuds.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-60_zpsff3e0268.jpg)
This is a close up of a common stay bolt, they are hollow so if they break or crack they leak from the hole.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-61_zps96945191.jpg)
This bolt has leaked in the past, but not is if it was broken, but from its fit in the boiler wall. When it leaked at the boiler wall, the simple repair is to peen it over and tighten it up. This one has been peened almost flat, but it doesn’t leak so it’s OK.
Re-attached a water line that had to be loosened for clearance, There are a lot of things on an engine that always seem to be behing something else.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-57_zpsd839b53d.jpg)
Moved on to finnishing tightening up all fittings on the new Airpump.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-62_zpscb2ae88e.jpg)
We got the cover back into the steam dome, Heavy thick casting. Finger care was utmost.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-63_zps8442ea11.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-64_zpscad18ca7.jpg)
Finnished installing the new (Rebuilt) generator by installing the exhaust stack:
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-65_zps76cb401f.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-68_zps88a69101.jpg)
For those that are courrious here are the plates.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-69_zpsbd333f09.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-66_zpsc540462a.jpg)
Time to put the tender and the engine back together. It was a little scary being between the engine and the tender as they rolled together, as I guided the Draw bar back into the slot.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-74_zps04ade99f.jpg)
And the two pins dropped right in. The tender side.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-70_zpscc5de81e.jpg)
and the Engine side.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-71_zps8e7f02d8.jpg)
I then covered the gap between the Back head and the deck with a fitted plate.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-72_zps4f78e925.jpg)
And then Paul and I then went under to finnish the attachment. first came the “Links” like three chain links(huge) that are a safety incase of drawbar failure, one set on each side.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-76_zps925e98de.jpg)
Pinned in place.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-75_zps1b125c5c.jpg)
And then the Airhoses, steam lines, water lines, brake lines.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-77_zpsb2a8aa77.jpg)
And the last duty was re attaching the grate to the rocker bar. To do this one has to get inside the ash pan and cotter pin the pins on the grate.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-80_zps8eb8243b.jpg)
And a pic ( front to rear) inside the ash pan.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-78_zps43071c2a.jpg).
WOW what an experience.
I’ll follow up with a personal point of view.
FANTASTIC . . . 
I wish I could have been there. And wish I could be there to see it run, . . . unfortunately I’ll be in Northern California.
But I will. . .WILL get to ride the steam train out of Virginia City this year.
Last year a break down of my truck on the way thru the mountains made me miss that. I was there for it’s arrival back in Virginia City in the evening.
Wow! That’s some BIG toy you guys have there, Dave, and a great report you wrote!
Thanks for posting the pics and for describing your day’s activity, very interesting, especially for those of us who never have a chance to get ‘up close and personal’ with these beautiful old ladies.
Oh, and a big thank you to you and all your buds who keep her moving from year to year. Without you all, and your efforts, just think where she might be today… no, let’s not think about that, it’s too depressing! You guys are saving her life!
GREAT STUFF, GUY!!!
Dave,
What a great set of posts. I have never seen all of those details before - I just hope you don’t inspire some manufacturer to include those details in a future model.
Anyway, I sure enjoyed the pictures as well as the descriptions of the work done. Sure sounds like a fun week of work.
Dave,
Unreal! And a treasure trove of detail info for our resident loco bashers (are you reading this, Bruce and Kevin?). I would have loved to be around that loco, but as for the hard work part, nah!
Now that was one informative, interesting and fun read. Enjoyed the hell out of that…
Thanks Dave…Almost like being there!
YEah! The drypipe and throttle are prolly the only part of a steamer that I have never gotten to see…thats awesome…
Welcome back to my D&RG 315 log.
Next week in Silverton at the Silverton Northern Engine house, the gal will be fired up and checked out, serviced and readied for D&S Railfest the end of Aug.
I’ll try to post updates when we get things done.
Here is the Link to the schedule of runs for the Weekend.
http://www.durangotrain.com/events/2013-true-west-railfest-0
I will be involved and around all Railfest weekend, Both in Silverton and in Durango, I hope that some of you will get to Durango for the fest. If you do, look me up, I’d love to give the nickel tour and meet some of you in person.
Dave
Fantastic. No way I can be there. Sort of stuck in the Stockton Ca. area until early November. But great to hear whut is goin’ on. Thanks for posting.
D&RGW 315 got fired up by the crew on Friday for a test run to check things out in preparation for the D&S Railfest next week.
As one of the newest members I didn’t have a lot to do with the firing, as the crew knows what to get done and when to do it. It is more complex then one first thinks. There are half a hundred things to do and check out as the temp rises. Once a fire is lit in the Box an aux. air source is hooked up to the air system so the blower in the smoke box can create a draft for the fire to burn hotter and to get the heat thru the tubes. Heating about 1200 gal. of water and 10+ tons of steel to steaming temp uses a lot of BTUs. The firing crew keeps a careful eye on boiler temp and pressure as the temp goes up and finally they get steam. At about 15-20 lb. of pressure they cut out the aux air and let the blower do the work. Once pressure is built up then all the steam operated devices are checked out to be certain that they are working. Checks for leaks at fittings, valves and their packing nuts and etc.
Dennis D’ (head of 315 engine maint. and operations) Opens the pet cocks on the air pumps to clear the water/moisture out of the cylinders. It also pre-heats them, much the same as the main cylinders when starting out.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-81_zps95be7d11.jpg)
The safety “Pop off” valved is checked by letting the steam pressure build up until it lifts and the indicated pressure is noted. It lifts exactly where is suposts to. The team makes sure that nothing is overlooked and left to chance. Great Crew to be with.
Dennis at the throttle, and a short test up-N-back on the engine house lead track. Short video [shot with my trusty iPhone]
http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/dave2-8-0/media/315/IMG_4600_zps3b16eb3c.mp4.html
A couple of minor tweaks and we waited for the D&S crew to clear the conecting loop to the main line.
Dennis backed her up to the wye to pick up a couple of passenger cars that the D&S had brought up to Silverton for the test run and the Photo Special that 315 will be heading up on Friday.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-84_zpsc459a638.jpg)
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-85_zpsb27ab2ab.jpg)
The test run, ran down the Animas river canyon South from Silverton to “Elk Park” wye to be turned, and back to Silverton.
Stay Tuned… I have a few picks and a couple of Videos to try and edit of the trip, Ill add. A good day was had by all.
Very exciting!
Almost lost the trusty iPhone there in all that steam!!! Nice video.
Tom
Well, I couldn’t gat the movies edited together or such, So I’ll post as links, unless someone can help to have them show up in the post.
The run down canyon to Elk park went really well. It’s about 5-6 miles South of Silverton in the Animas River Canyon. Beautiful country. Steve (head engineer for the D&S at the helm).
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-86_zps9593b22f.jpg)
D&RGW 315 @ Elk Park wye
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-88_zps6276529b.jpg)
On the N leg.
http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/dave2-8-0/media/315/IMG_4608_zps299e0482.mp4.html
Backing up to reconnect.
http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/dave2-8-0/media/315/IMG_4609_zpse75fb30e.mp4.html
Running North back to Silverton.
http://s1234.photobucket.com/user/dave2-8-0/media/315/IMG_4612_zpsf08a9f41.mp4.html
On the drive back home, at Molass Pass Co.
(http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff403/dave2-8-0/315/photo-93_zps3e7ff405.jpg)
“And I’ve seen fire in the sky” John Denver, (from Rocky Mountain High)
Dave
Dave,
Here is the best I could do to put together a movie from your clips…
Beautiful. Gawd I miss the mountain scenery. Wish I could talk my better half into moving to CO to be near my sons. Maybe if the married one has kids there is hope.
Thanks Joe. I have a couple more clips that are to large to e-mail from my phone that would fill out the vid well. There on the s. bound leg and look past the tender to the track.
I’ll see what I can do to get them off the phone.
Jon,
Grandbabies can move heaven and earth!
Bob C.