Disassembled Consolodation
Valley Railroad locomotive No. 97's smoke box is open at the railroad's Essex, Conn. shop.
97's Cab
A look into No. 97's cab
Light in the Firebox
A drop light hangs in 97s firebox
Tubes behind the Sheet
Old tubes lay in a stack behind 97s tube sheet. They have been cut out in preperation for their eventual replacement.
The Plan
Sketches taped to 97s cab outlining where to needle scale the metal - part of the stabilization process.
Tube Cutter
A specialized tool rests on 97s pilot in between uses. The tool is used to cut out tubes in the locomotive's boiler.
Chip Cutting
Valley Railroad shop employee Chip begins to cut out 97s superheater tubes
Cutting
A closeup look at the torch doing its job
Filled with Sparks
Sparks of molten metal bounce around the inside of a superheater tube
Filled with Sparks 2
Into the Firebox
Chip inserts himself into the firebox of 97 to cut the opposite side of the tubes
Already Cut
A number of tubes sit in the boiler, already cut and awaiting removal
Adjusting the Flame
Valley Railroad shop employee Chip adjusts the flame on his cutting torch before removing a tube in No. 97s boiler. The railroad is doing stabilization work on the Consolidation so she does not deteriorate further during storage before her rebuild project begins at some point in the future (schedule is still to be determined).
Cutting in the Firebox
Chip cuts the firebox side of a superheater tube
Moving to the next
Chip adjusts his torch's flame as he prepares to move to another tube
Jacket Removed
A view of 97s boiler with her jacket and insulation removed
Cleaning the Underside
Valley Railroad shop employee Mike takes a pause while degreasing and power washing the underside of locomotive No. 3025
Cleaning Under
Valley Railroad shop employee Mike power washes the undercarriage of Mikado No. 3025 in the railroad's new Locomotive Servicing Facility in Essex, Connecticut.
Clean Steam
