CUSTOMIZED 60-YEAR OLD RINGS
Fully restored, ‘The Daylight’ can speed at over 110 MPH on a clear track. Although the locomotive and tender weigh 870,000 lbs, the 5500 horsepower can take the SP-4449 anywhere it needs to go — as long as all the accessories are playing along.
Challenge
Finding parts to restore an iconic, last of its kind locomotive built in 1941 is not an easy task . Piston rings in the SP-4449's air pump lubricator were worn beyond specs and needed to be replaced. Spare parts are always a challenge for a steel monster built before WWII.
Solution
A Grover Customer Service Rep and a Process Technician were able to identify some stock rings that could be modified to fit the locomotive application. "This kind of work might have taken up to several weeks to complete, but we were familiar with that type of ring, and we were able to complete the modification in just two days."
End-Result
Once again, SP-4449 is able to take to the rails. In addition to excursions and whistle stop events, the locomotive has starred in a number of motion pictures and TV shows, including Dukes of Hazzard, Come See the Paradise, and the Disney production Tough Guys.
Take the last train to Clarksville and I'll meet you at the station.
