Progress on Cagney Boiler
Work is progressing quite well on our prototype Cagney Class D boiler. We have been able to assemble many of the major components, which includes the boiler barrel, smoke box, front tube sheet, wrapper sheets, firebox, mud ring, and back head. At this point, we still have the staybolts and tubes to install.
If you will notice in the picture of the smoke box, the pattern for tube arrangement is not the same as in original Class D boilers. This arrangement provides for a total of 26 tubes and will make a considerable increase in the overall heating surface area of the boiler.
Welds joining the wrapper sheets and back head will be polished smooth in the final product.
The prototype boiler still requires the installation of tubes, staybolts, and a few other items, as well as heat treatment, hydrostatic tests, and final inspection.
Once the prototype boiler is completed, designs for the boiler will be finalized and production on duplicate boilers will commence.
