At 8AM this morning, the old boiler of the Sierra #3 arrived at the Sacramento Shops. Since last December, it has been in Camas Washington, to be used as a reference for the building of the new boiler.
The availability of the overhead crane to lift and move the 17,000 lb boiler made unloading a simple process. The Jamestown shops are not equipped with a crane, which makes moving heavy objects a real challenge, and the primary reason the erecting will be done in Sacramento.
The crane runs the entire length of the Sacramento Shop building, on a track mounted in the roof. It is controlled by a large control pendant (very similar to the type used for operating a truck winch). The operator can move the crane the length of the building, and can also direct the cables (holding the object) back and forth along the crane beam.
For unloading, the truck was driven into the building, directly under the crane. From there, the boiler was wrapped in slings (ensuring that it was horozontally balanced), and lifted up off the truck. It was then transported approximatly one-third of the length of the building, gliding into place next to the chassis. When the new boiler arrives, it will be unloaded the same way, an placed in between the old boiler and the chassis.
- Greg Keltch and Don Shapiro preparing to lift the old boiler off of the truck bed.
The shop crew conducts a short job briefing to plan for movement of the boiler. Chassis can be seen in the foreground. Crane beam can be seen above.
Greg Kelsch and Gary Smith assist in guiding the boiler around the chassis.
Jim Bayes (at right, with yellow pendant in hand) guides the boiler into place.
