Little Engines 0-4-4 saddle overhaul

 

One of the many steam engines owned by the Southern California Live Steamers is a Little Engines 0-4-0 saddle tank engine. Many years ago this engine was dropped off the transfer table causing the boiler to fail. Even though a new boiler was ordered and delivered to SCLS the engine was never put back into service. As time went by bits and pieces of the engine were used to repair other club equipment and the engine and boiler sat collecting dust in the rear of the club container. One day while Steve Claude was talking to Tom Downing about having a second operational club steam engine Steve suggested seeing what it would take to get the engine up and running again.

 

Steve Claude then took the engine and boiler to his shop in Downey to see what repairs would be necessary. The engine was placed on a stand and hooked to compressed air after some small adjustment to the timing the engine was running smoothly on air. Next the boiler was hydrotested to ensure that it had not recieved any damage while it was in storage. The boiler passed its hydro test with no problems.

 

Now it was time to get to work all the loose parts that were laying around were collected and brought to Steve's shop to be sorted out. There are a few missing components and aside from the plumbing the engine is 75% complete. Work will start with the construction of a new ash pan and propane burner assembly. After that a new axle pump will be installed before the boiler is placed back on the engine and all new plumbing will be installed.

 

Steve C.