Restoration
Locomotive 110 repainted cosmetically back to her 1950's Cliffside colors for a celebration of her arrival.
Locomotive Inspections
The Steam Department made two separate trips to Stone Mountain, Georgia to inspect the locomotive. We determined that it would be a good candidate for restoration. Saving this piece of history will make it well worth the considerable expense, time and manpower involved. With your help, we will continue her legacy well into the future.
(The move process is documented under History.)
Restoration Plan Overview
- The locomotive was evaluated for feasibility of restoration and secured through negotiations with Stone Mountain State Park near Atlanta, GA.
- The locomotive was moved by truck to the Museum in Bonsal, NC.
- A cosmetic restoration was completed for a celebration of its return and for fund raising.
- The locomotive was broken down to allow an inspection of all the working mechanisms.
- Preliminary plans have been made, and restoration has begun.
- Major fund raising will be needed to restore 110 to full operating condition. (link)
Restoration plans and Accomplishments
Planning
Prior planning is key to the success of any restoration. As with any project at the museum, your donations will be carefully managed to accomplish restoration goals and expectations of both members and donors in a cost-effective and timely manner. We are also an FRA (Federal Railway Administration) regulated railroad, meaning that any rolling equipment to be used on the railroad must meet standards as put forth by rules and regulations adopted by the FRA.
We knew that the restoration of 110 was going to be a ground-up restoration, meaning the locomotive needed to be carefully taken apart and photographed to determine the best course of action. We are restoring a lot of components ourselves, with examples of work already completed shown below. We are grateful to have a diverse group of volunteers with the knowledge and experience to accomplish this work. The restoration of the boiler and wheelsets will be done offsite by experienced professionals licensed for that type of work.
Engineering
Study models
Study models
Drawing showing Locomotive 110's specifications
Study models
Study models
Study models
This is a study model showing locomotive 110's brake system and how it goes together. The 3D model was built using the locomotive's original drawings. The model is still a work in progress.
110's Tender
The tender body was lifted off its frame. Notice the locomotive was involved in a rear collision sometime back in the 1930's.
The body was lifted off it's frame and sent to a welder.
The bottom plate of the tender was completely replaced because it had rusted out. This shows the tender turned upside down for the work.
Brand new steel for the tender.
With the tender body being worked on, we turned our attention to the frame. All old decking needed to be removed.
With all of her appliances removed, the tender frame was sent to the sandblaster and then repainted with a primer.
Patterns
Re-creating 110's boiler plates
The originals were probably removed many years ago.
New plates were cast, and here's the finished product.
Location of original plates on locomotive
Butterfly fire door
Back head arrangement
Location of butterfly door
Before restoration
After restoration
Cab restoration
Cab from locomotive 110: The original wood windows were replaced with aluminum at some point. These have been removed. Wood windows are being restored.
Here's a photo of the interior of the cab. The steel floors were rotted away and needed to be replaced. Most of the woodwork was carefully removed, refinished, and reused. For the woodwork that we had to replace, we found some new/old stock with the exact dimensions.
We removed the interior wood from the cab. Portions of the drip rail at the base of the cab were rusted out; they have been cut away and replaced. The new sheet metal floors are now welded in.
All of the welding has been completed as well as sealing up numerous pin holes in the cab roof that allowed water to leak into the woodwork inside. She's got new floors and has been sandblasted and primed.
New windows are being built as a next step. these are the drop down windows at the back of the cab. On the right is the original window.
New doors and frames for the front of the cab.
These metal doors replaced the original wood doors, probably after the locomotive left Cliffside. Notice the hinges allow the door to swing outward.
Here's a photo of one of the new doors. The cab plans from Vulcan Iron Works specifically state that they swing inwards.
You know you've done something right when the new hinges align themselves with the original cutouts on the adjacent wall.
Before and after photo of the fireman's side woodwork and windows inside of the cab
Progress to date in restoring woodwork to 1927 appearance. Sliding window needs to be installed and armrest upholstered.
Completion of cab roof. We used original material where we could. Notice original whistle pull brackets
Support our preservation efforts
100% of your generous donation will go to the restoration of 110
(Please click on the number plate to the right to donate)
If you would like to donate by check, please mail your check to:
North Carolina Railway Inc.,
P.O. Box 40, New Hill, NC 27562.
Please add 110project in the memo line of your check so that we can direct your donation to this project.
Jump on board and help us make history come alive!
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