Wab794 Restoration Progress - 2001

[Current] [2003-04] [2002] 2001 [2000] [1999] [1998-97]

7th November 2001
We have fitted the radios and tested the brakes.

1st September 2001
Russell Wiseman pulls the whistle for the first time since 1969. Feilding now knows there is a steam engine in town.
Hear the Wab's first whistle

1st September 2001
The Wab moves under it's own steam for the first time since it arrive at Timaru on its way from Ohai to Ferrymead.
Full story of Wab moving under own steam for first time

1st September 2001
Kevin fitting one the badges to the Wab's water tanks.

25th August 2001
On this day we kept the steam pressure below 85 PSI.

25th August 2001
On Saturday the 25th of August 2001 we lit a fire in the firebox, and started steam tests. Within four hours we had plenty of steam and began searching for leaks in the pipework. We found quite a few leaks, but these were easily fixed by replacing the washers.

18th August 2001
We fitted the spark arrester in the smoke box once all the superheater elements were fitted.

11th August 2001
This is the smoke box showing the new superheater elements fitted.

28th July 2001
We have now hydraulically tested all of the superheater elements to over 1000 PSI and found a couple of leaks that have been repaired and retested. All the elements are now fitted to the locomotive. We have also pressurised the Westinghouse braking system to check that all the brakes and valves function correctly. We love your pixie hat Mike!

30th June 2001
The lubricator has been completely dismantled, cleaned and fitted with new sight glasses. This lubricator feeds specific amounts of oil to the valves and pistons at the front of the locomotive.

30th June 2001
Kevin looking like a spooked possum. Kevin is minimising the air gaps in the bottom of the firebox.

30th June 2001
A view of of Wab794's cab. Nearly all the equipment is bolted into place.

23rd June 2001
We have now bolted on the connection and driving rods back onto the loco.

21th April 2001
Barb trying to keep the Wab sparking clean.

14th April 2001
Bolting the tanks to the Wab.

14th April 2001
John Ireland reconditioned the steam turbine. Merv and Mike fitted it to the Wab.

31st March 2001
Work continues on the super heater elements. Some are complete and have been hydraulically tested, so far so good. Merv and Kevin are working away with the remainder of the super heater elements and ensuring they are up to standard. Now the tanks are back on we can start to plumb them up to the boiler.

31st March 2001
Now the tanks are on we remember just how big the Wab really is.

31st March 2001
We hired a truck with a Hiab to lift the tanks on. All appear to fit ok, especially given that one tank was almost completely rebuilt.

17th March 2001
Merv has been busy gas welding the super heater elements together. Each weld takes about 20 minutes do to and there are 12 welds per element, sometimes more if the new elbow bends need to be made.

15th January 2001
We have been fitting out the cab and this took a while as we need to remake a lot of the small pipe work that connects to the gauges and the sanding equipment, because it was stolen a few years ago. One good thing is that the piping is nice and new. We started rebuilding the superheater elements. This job required a lot of cutting and preparation before the welding could be done.

The majority of photos on this page were taken by Stan Jenkins.

[Current] [2003-04] [2002] 2001 [2000] [1999] [1998-97]

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	7th November 2001 We have fitted the radios and tested the brakes.
	1st September 2001 Russell Wiseman pulls the whistle for the first time since 1969. Feilding now knows there is a steam engine in town. Hear the Wab's first whistle
	1st September 2001 The Wab moves under it's own steam for the first time since it arrive at Timaru on its way from Ohai to Ferrymead. Full story of Wab moving under own steam for first time
	1st September 2001 Kevin fitting one the badges to the Wab's water tanks.
	25th August 2001 On this day we kept the steam pressure below 85 PSI.
	25th August 2001 On Saturday the 25th of August 2001 we lit a fire in the firebox, and started steam tests. Within four hours we had plenty of steam and began searching for leaks in the pipework. We found quite a few leaks, but these were easily fixed by replacing the washers.
	18th August 2001 We fitted the spark arrester in the smoke box once all the superheater elements were fitted.
	11th August 2001 This is the smoke box showing the new superheater elements fitted.
	28th July 2001 We have now hydraulically tested all of the superheater elements to over 1000 PSI and found a couple of leaks that have been repaired and retested. All the elements are now fitted to the locomotive. We have also pressurised the Westinghouse braking system to check that all the brakes and valves function correctly. We love your pixie hat Mike!
	30th June 2001 The lubricator has been completely dismantled, cleaned and fitted with new sight glasses. This lubricator feeds specific amounts of oil to the valves and pistons at the front of the locomotive.
	30th June 2001 Kevin looking like a spooked possum. Kevin is minimising the air gaps in the bottom of the firebox.
	30th June 2001 A view of of Wab794's cab. Nearly all the equipment is bolted into place.
	23rd June 2001 We have now bolted on the connection and driving rods back onto the loco.
	21th April 2001 Barb trying to keep the Wab sparking clean.
	14th April 2001 Bolting the tanks to the Wab.
	14th April 2001 John Ireland reconditioned the steam turbine. Merv and Mike fitted it to the Wab.
	31st March 2001 Work continues on the super heater elements. Some are complete and have been hydraulically tested, so far so good. Merv and Kevin are working away with the remainder of the super heater elements and ensuring they are up to standard. Now the tanks are back on we can start to plumb them up to the boiler.
	31st March 2001 Now the tanks are on we remember just how big the Wab really is.
	31st March 2001 We hired a truck with a Hiab to lift the tanks on. All appear to fit ok, especially given that one tank was almost completely rebuilt.
	17th March 2001 Merv has been busy gas welding the super heater elements together. Each weld takes about 20 minutes do to and there are 12 welds per element, sometimes more if the new elbow bends need to be made.
	15th January 2001 We have been fitting out the cab and this took a while as we need to remake a lot of the small pipe work that connects to the gauges and the sanding equipment, because it was stolen a few years ago. One good thing is that the piping is nice and new. We started rebuilding the superheater elements. This job required a lot of cutting and preparation before the welding could be done.