Here #2353 shows off for a photo run-by at Miller Creek.
Notice the young girl at the right holding her ears.
Photo by Randy Houk

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THE STATUS OF STEAM LOCOMOTIVE

SOUTHERN PACIFIC 2353

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Spring of 2005

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As documented elsewhere on this site the Museum completed a 10-year restoration of 2353 in 1996. The Museum volunteers operated 2353 from Spring 1996 until the Fall of 2000. This completed five years of operation, at which time Federal regulations required a major inspection of the locomotive.

#2353 helps with a music-video production in 1999
entitled Jessie Hold On by B'witched.
Photo by Randy Houk

On our last day of operation, we filmed an action sequence for the movie, PEARL HARBOR, and 2353 was rolled into our shop in Campo the afternoon the filming was completed. At that time, we anticipated that the inspection and known repair work would require six months to a year to complete. Under that timetable, 2353 would again be able to enchant our visitors with her early 20th century technology in mid-to-late 2001.

The major task was to perform an ultrasound examination of the boiler, to ensure that the 88-year old steel was still thick enough to safely handle the 200 psi steam pressure it had to contain. To do so, the Steam Team had to remove all the various appliances, pipes, etc., that are mounted on the outside of the boiler. Then the sheet metal jacket was removed, followed by the "lagging" (insulation). The locomotive was "stripped."

#2353 leads a demonstration freight across the
Lower Campo Creek Trestle. Tunnel #4 is in the
background, the other end of the 800-foot tunnel
is in Old Mexico.
Photo by Randy Houk

The ultrasound examination was completed, and calculations showed that the boiler was in good shape. Good news! We than proceeded to do a hydrostatic test, which required us to fill the boiler with water, then with a high-pressure pump, increase the pressure to 250 psi. There was a leak at one of the several hundred stay-bolts in the firebox. Stay-bolt replacement is a routine steam locomotive maintenance procedure, so we weren't too concerned.

Alas, when the leaking stay-bolt was removed, we found a crack on the inside (water side) of the firebox at the bolt hole. This crack was not visible from any place that could normally be observed. To determine the extent of the cracking, more stay-bolts were removed. The initial crack was found to extend the full length of the firebox, about 10 feet, and a number of other cracks were found. Consultation with several boiler professionals suggested that the entire "crown sheet" (ceiling) of the fire box needed to be replaced. Estimated cost at that time, early 2002, was about $140,000. The approximately $20,000 that had been donated for our anticipated work came nowhere near covering this expense.

Larry, Jim & Dick get the rod in place.
Photo by Jim Baker

Work stopped at this point. Late in 2002, a new Board of Trustees was elected for the Museum. As the new Board had their hands full with a number of issues not relating to 2353, the work hiatus on the locomotive continued. Some other boiler professionals were consulted, and their opinions ranged from replacing the crown sheet, to replacement of the entire boiler. The latter was estimated to cost upwards of $500,000.

In late 2003, the Board appointed 12-year Steam Team member Jim Baker to the position of Steam Foreman. His plan, as ratified by the remaining members of the Steam Team and the Museum's Board, is to re-assemble 2353, and put her on display in the Museum's "Train Shed" (display building). This would serve several purposes. 1) Parts that were stored in various places at Campo would be all in their proper places on the locomotive, and wouldn't get "lost." And, before our collective memories faded too much, we'd know where they all went. 2) A major fund-raising effort will be necessary to do the required boiler repairs. This will possibly take several years. We believe that having a complete locomotive to show potential donors would facilitate the fund-raising, as opposed to just having a pile of parts. 3) During the fund-raising process, we will be able to contribute to the Museum's educational mission, by having Steam Team volunteers, wearing the traditional garb of steam-era railroaders, describe the operation of the locomotive to the visitors to the Campo facility.

Certainly, having a locomotive "under steam" would be the best situation, but much can be done with a static display.

Larry greasing the crank pin. Photo by Jim Baker

SP #2353 in the Display Building! Photo by Jim Baker

As of April, 2005, the Steam Team volunteers have completed the reassembly of 2353 and moved her to the Display Building. While we still have quite a bit of work left to do to finish up the display, come on out and take a look! Over the next few months, we will make the cab safely accessible to visitors (it is presently closed), hook up its lighting system, and set up some explanatory displays.

Fred, Larry, Tom & Dick put the sand dome in place.
Photo by Jim Baker

We are still working two days per month, with three to four volunteers each day. We have several other steam locomotives that need lots of TLC to preserve them. Come out and join us!

For further information or questions, or to join our Steam Team, please contact the Steam Foreman at baker@psrm.org.