Lackwanna 663 Fired Up: Part 1

This weekend, Tri-State volunteers headed to Steamtown National Historic Site to initiate the final repairs on our Lackawanna-painted F3 and get it running for this year's excursion season. For the first time in several years, Tri-State shook off the dust and had the engine running, albeit stationary.

No. 663 has been down for heavy repairs for the past three years, and the engine now has a newly rebuilt main generator and air compressor. Last year, the Steamtown shop installed and aligned the main generator and positioned the air compressor. Mechanics hired by Tri-State verified that Steamtown shop did an excellent job aligning the generator, and they tested the engine up to notch 8 on the throttle and ensured it was well-balanced. 

Next weekend's project will be to install and line up 663's rebuilt air compressor. At that point, an FRA inspection will be all that is left to get 663 on the road for the summer. Check out the photos below to see the process! Click here to read more about 663.

Anthracite Railroads Historical Society's 664 is on shop switcher duty as it shoves Tri-State's 663 into the shop.

663 shown in Scranton Shops, a facility purpose-built for working on this type of locomotive.

The newly-rebuilt generator, access covers taken off to do the dial-indication.

One of Tri-State's mechanics uses a "barring tool" used specifically for rotating the driveshaft on an EMD prime mover.

Checking the measurements on the dial indicator. 

Checking and double checking readings to ensure that the generator is aligned and will operate as-intended. 

663 fired up to notch 8 for the first time in several years. 

Volunteers and mechanics muscle the new compressor into place.

The new compressor coupling, shown on the left, was custom designed by the Santa Fe to withstand the forces put on the linkage between these to major parts while the locomotive is in motion. This was was taken from a derelict Santa Fe CF7 and was rebuilt for 663.

Tri-State's mechanics will return next week for the final repairs.