The record-union., 1896-07-26

and its different members distributed
throughout the shop, where they are re-
paired. or where much worn, relegated
to the scrap yard and new parts fur
nished.
Machine Shop No. 3, most generally
known as THE PITT occupies one side
of the general machine shop in which
are also located Machine Shops Nos.
and 2. respectively. They comprise
twenty-five pits now used entirely for
general locomotive repairs, and on these
pits the seventy-five new engines built
by the Southern Pacific Company were
set up.
One of these pits is now occupied by
the track gang" where all engine
trucks are either built or repaired. The
remaining twenty-one pits are divided
between six separate gangs. each under
a gang foreman, who is responsible for
through his hands.
Engines coming in for repairs, after
being uncoupled from their tenders, are
taken in charge at the yard transfer ia
ble If necessary that the cab should
be removed, it is taken off by means OF
the crane at the end Of the transfer ta-
bic track previous to being drawn into
the machaine shop by means of wire
cable operated by an engine stationed
on the transfer table.
Repairs are classified as light, heavy,
general, extraordinary or rebuilt-the
extraordinary embracing repairs due to
accident alone.
After the engine is drawn into the
shop, stripping is commenced. The side
and main rods, binders and wedges,
eccentric straps and blades, pl-
lot or pilot braces, running boards,
driver brakes, ash pan, piping, dome
cap and whatever other material Is
needed to be removed to lift the engine
off its wheels is taken off in a remark
bly, short space of time. Being then
ready for the machine shops, transfer
table and hoist, that most useful ma
chine is brought directly over the en-
CINE, it's pistons lowered-one in the
dome and one at the front end, where
suitable and adjustable hooks are made
fast to the engins and when the hy-
draulic pumps are started the engine is
lifted up rapidly until the wheels can
be rolled from under the body, after
which it is lowered and placed upon
suitable wooden blocking. generally set
under the mud ring Of the firebox, and
the center casting between the cylin-
dars.
After the separate parts have been
cleaned, some are distributed to differ
ent departments of machine shops Nos.
/ and 2 for certain special repairs. Note
is taken of the different parts that
need either removing or repairing, and
their cost in labor and material is care
fully estimated. The jacket or Rus
sian iron covering Of the boiler
and frebox is then either re-
moved whole or in part, and If
found to have wooden tagging on the
boiler this is taken off to be replaced by
asbestos, which is now preferably used
as a preventive against the radiation
of heat from the boilers. Tagging was
formerly all made of wood.
Pipes and standard equipments are
put on if found wanting. The American
balance valve now supersedes the old
or ordinary slide valve, and metallic
packing is now used for all piston and
valve stems and air pumps.
The push down brake is applied to all
eight -wheelers, while small tooth latch
the engines may better regulate the
steam cut off in the main cylinders.
The cinder pot and the boiler front of
the latest standard designs now replace
the old style.
While the several parts are being re-
newed or overhauled as found neces-
sary, lines are run through the cylin-
ders, from which the pistons have been
removed, the shoes and wedges squared
up besides refitted, etc. Should the
cylinders be found 'out Of round" or i'm
properly worn, they are bored out, for
which purpose the boring machine and
steam motor are brought in requisition
and soon have the bore Of the cylinders
81 true as when first made.
Here may also be seen the pneumatic
machine for running tops, drills, etc,
ir successful operation. the motor power
being compressed air. furnished conven-
ientlv through pipes and hose and regu-
lated in the most simple manner possi-
bic This power is alsc used for oper-
ating the valve seat facing machines,
thus doing away in great measure
"A ith the laborious hand labor, hand
ratcbets that were formerly employed
RI nroduce the required results. The
rneumatfc hammer is also used to ad-
vantage where light chipping is neces-
eay, To secure an even, smooth surface.
In this shop all the boilers of locomo-
tives undergoing repairs are tested, be-
inc first filed with cold water. A pipe
connecttng with a general steam supply
nine running down the middle and full
myth of the shop is attached, regulated
NV m N
me boiler is warmed gradually, so that
its expansion may be more regular ana
even when properly warmed, the
steam connection is shut off and con-
nection made with the hydraulic pres
sure pipe that runs on one side and the
full length of the shop and which Is
supplied by accumulators- Here a
pressure of 200 pounds per square inch
may be obtained, which is necessary, as
the testing pressure required ranges
from 130 to 200 pounds, according to the
class and age of the boiler.
The boiler being tested and all leaks
OF seams or rivets taken up, the pop or
safety valves are set TO their required
carrying pressure-no tampering with
them being afterward allowed. as long
as they work correctly
| The different parts of the engine be-
| ing replaced, the driver springs and
| spring hangers are connected and the
! drivers. now round and true. are run un-
| Ger. Wedges and binders are soon put
| IN place rods coupled. and the wheel
rotating rollers put under the drivers 10
| DO away with the pinch bar method of
| locomotion. and all is ready for set
| ting the valves, an operation on which
| largelY denends the successful working