Ep 5 - Removing Steam Cylinders With A Big Hammer - Two-Foot Gauge Steam Locomotive Restoration

[@ScammerBoy-l2s]

BEST RESTORATION VIDEO EVER

[@trainnerd3029]

It has been pretty cool 😎

[@sdrc92126]

Looks like fun🚂

[@outersketcher]

YES! I'd like to see how "Hammer testing" the wedges and parts is done. My grandfather worked as an "Engineer" on steam engines in York, England before he immigrated here to the U.S. When I was a kid, I used to sit with him and listen to the stories he used to tell me about how they would remove the steel "tires" from a 6 foot iron drive wheel.. and things like that. Watching this vid is kinda like listening to his stories again. (edited to fix poor grammar)

[@olivei2484]

Theres great vids on yt on steam tires, mounting etc. I thin Crewe engine shed as well

[@jjskn93]

It's quite straightforward. You take a hammer with a long handle - looks like a walking stick, and you strike the thing you want to test. It'll make either a ringing ping or a flat donk. Ping means everything is solid and tight, donk means something is loose. Apparently in days of old, from the platform, it wasn't uncommon to see a chap wandering down the 6, pinging away, looking for cracked tires on passenger stock. My grandfather and I always found it odd that they use a machine for that now.

[@piccalillipit9211]

Im from York, England - its a beautiful city. Its like walking through a medieval town.

[@martinsims1273]

​@@piccalillipit9211That's probably because most of it IS a medieval town, and it IS beautiful.

[@piccalillipit9211]

@@martinsims1273 You know what I mean - its like going back in history, stepping back in time.

[@casketchris]

i get that it was recent technology during the recording but man those scrapyard scenes are tough to watch. Thank you for taking us along on this awesome journey.

[@sheep1ewe]

Sometimes even the workes did sabotage the scrapping planes by removing the rails so the locomotive could not be transported to the scrapyard, they did that to a small locomotive in a town nearby here, today it has been restored back to functional condition.

[@martinsims1273]

​@@sheep1eweIn Britain, there were attempts to save some very important & historic locomotives, but they were overruled by the dictatorial (mis)management, such as the lone Midland Railway "Lickey Banker", the most powerful loco that company ever built, and the last 3 large express passenger loco's from the London & North Western Railway, which the Crewe loco works people tried to hide away & save, but were overridden by the British Railways (mis)management, who ordered them scrapped anyway.

[@richardwilliams6837]

Hammer testing... if you're new(ish) to this, go back and listen to the difference in sound between the left hand cylinder studs being tapped out, then the noise the right hand side studs make when hit. Thats a good starting point! Enjoying the progression and progress you guys are making, and somewhat jealous of the climate its been stored in and the relative lack of rust/seized nuts. I've worked on much newer things with worse corrosion, so it's a definate hat tip to you!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Bang on! That is an excellent starting point for training the ear.

[@rikb.7772]

hopefully you marked each wedge with a unique mark and the side it went too. I can't wait till next episode...

[@joshuadupay1285]

Absolutely love the combination of narration, historic footage, and footage of the restoration and how they are mixed together. Very well done, and I can't wait to watch the progress on this restoration!

[@kevincollins1060]

Really interesting project, excellent narration and video. And no heavy metal background music thank goodness 👍🏻

[@martinsims1273]

Yes, agreed, no un-necessary background music. :-)

[@DavidSellars-b8l]

The rivets in the Titanic built just before 1912 were of wrought iron. Not surprising some fasteners on your loco are wrought iron. Interesting view of the cylinder casting.

[@SueKilmister]

I am really enjoying your videos. You explain each step very clearly. It is interesting to see the differences in steam locomotive construction between the USA and here in the UK. Good luck with your project.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!

[@martinsims1273]

Yes, plate frames in Britain, and bar frames in America, + many other detail differences, but still clever, skilled, and interesting. :-)

[@bearhydegaming6114]

Please do show us the process of hammer testing. I think that’d be very interesting! This has to be one of the best restoration channels I’ve seen in a long time. I practically stop what I’m doing the moment I see a notification from you. Here’s to continued luck on your restoration journey!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you very much! I'm happy you're enjoying it!

[@martinsims1273]

​​@@Wreck2Restoredjust a heads up, by way of offering some help (if you don't already know about this technique). In Britain, where loco's are usually built with plate frames, and before the advent of electronic, ultrasound testing machines, frames from loco's which were in the works, stripped down for repairs or general overhaul, were thoroughly cleaned and degreased, then given a coat of white emulsion paint, then left to stand overnight. The frames were then examined the next day, and if there was a crack anywhere, this would be clearly shown as a line where any oil within the crack has seeped out and clearly marked/stained the white paint with a black line. This method can be used for testing any component, where ultrasound is not available. It just takes a little longer.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thanks for mentioning that! That's something I'll make a point of discussing in a future episode.

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Excellent video. Definition of an engineer: a man with more than one hammer! Looking forward to the next update

[@krandall5285]

I think you are wise to cultivate the attention of these more senior gentlemen to the project. Too soon we will be the old guys. We need to learn as much as we can.

[@Wreck2Restored]

Absolutely!!

[@martinsims1273]

​@Wreck2Restored It's good that there are still people who are practising, and skilled in what would otherwise be lost trades, such as wheelwrighting, thatching, blacksmithing, and other older trades, such as you are practicing. :-)

[@elishaellis2072]

Here's Hoping your documentation and efforts are properly appreciated and preserved for the next hundred or so years, and the collective work of yourself and your friends will last at least a couple hundred more. Thanks for Sharing, God Speed.

[@kclassproductions]

You and your friends are working so hard to get these two locomotives complete, I can’t wait to see the final result!

[@dominicsenibaldi248]

Thanks!

[@sheep1ewe]

That's a bar for a new stud i think!

[@nicklapietra3890]

Great video. Thanks. I would love to see more detail. I'm not concerned eith length of the video.

[@wexfordwaster7423]

This has become a really good series. Thanks very much for all your efforts.

[@TheGWR0-4-0]

Great progress, thanks for sharing

[@SophiaTiso]

I'd love to see a hammer testing video! That being said, I'd watch pretty much anything by you guys. I appreciate how clearly explained the restoration process is, which helps someone like me who isn't very knowledgeable about these things.

[@tonywellard458]

Love it, I have my own 1925 renovation but of a Dodge Brothers car.

[@biancadarosa9053]

@@tonywellard458 show me yours

[@robine5280]

Vote for hammer testing ✋🏼 Great episode as always 👍🏼

[@grilnam9945]

Someone please get this guy a sponsorship from Evaporust.

[@squidgert566]

Amazing project restoring this rust bucket.

[@richardsmith4147]

This is going to be a great journey. Thank you for sharing and I’m looking forward to learning more about steam.

[@renzojager2415]

I really like to watch this stuff, great work! Greatings from the Netherlands! 🎉

[@robertlamoureaux6858]

Found your channel and have to say a big thank you for creating these videos. I have not seen anywhere how locomotives are actual put together, and you are showing it. If this was standard gauge, I don't think anyone would take on this level of tear down. It is fascinating how simple the assembly is, but how rugged at the same time. Narrow, or standard gauge, they are steam locomotives. Thanks again, and looking forward to more videos.

[@stevemellin5806]

Fantastic theirs alot to restoreing . steam engines .

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Great Video, As they Say, Its The Little Things that are a Real Pain !😊

[@nickp5036]

love the video, my only complaint is 14 min is too short haha!! i want more

[@edminas3159]

I am really enjoying your videos and am amazed that you are so knowledgeable on techniques that were used long before you were born.

[@mincwell42]

Love the video style, amazing information, no click bait, and a very cool project!

[@micheldupont4905]

thank you .... very good video

[@Michael-he7xn]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

Good progress again. Luckily the studs went out fairly well as you saw them squishing when you started hammering on them. Hammer testing or tapping as it is also called is an interesting subject. When removing the studs you could hear the one that was easy had a dull sound at the first tap but the difficult ones had a ringing sound that travelled well trough the frame. We even use it today in the maintenance of industrial equipment. A trained ear can pick up differences in bolt tension in pipe flanges, the pitch changes with tension.

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour, Belle année 2025, I wish you a lot of progress on this amazing project and a lot of videos shared with us. Amicalement, Raphaël

[@TheSandman614]

Love watching your progress on this!

[@PatrikEkmanVga]

What a lovely story you have to tell with this work you are doing now!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you so much!

[@billm99uk]

12:18 Ah yes, Alan Whicker. I remember that accent from a very long time ago...

[@SteamCrane]

1218 - Ah yes, great N+W locomotive!

[@Mercmad]

I was thinking that it has to have been at least 55 years since I heard him on the tele.😁😁

[@morg52]

Reminds me of the removal of waist sheet bolts on NP 2156 at the MN Transportation Museum. Them things are on there solid.

[@noads1035]

Excellent video! Nice work on the disassembly. I will watch ANY videos you make on loco maintenance and repair. I got to drive an Alco 2-8-0 (Northern Nevada Railway #93) for a few hours in the fall of 2016. Wish I could do it every day. Thanks for the videos1

[@nickbruns4154]

Im really enjoying this content. I'm following it closely and hope you finish it to the end with a working Davenport!

[@SteamCrane]

Another great video! Loving this series!

[@davidtaylor6124]

Looking forward to the next one!

[@the_retag]

Pretty cool seeing this small scale. Meininhen steamworks in Germany does this rourinely even on full size locos when they need new cylinders or repairs. Although i believe the cylinders are separate

[@kurtisharrington6015]

I would love to see how to do the hammer testing!

[@ronaldcolman6211]

Definitely some suspicious metallurgy, maybe pig iron. Those studs were marshmallow soft. And yes hammer testing sounds interesting.

[@HerbaceousM8]

flexible means not brittle, i dont know enough to know if that was intended

[@TheStickCollector]

Guess I need to catch up. I suppose I can cross reference this in case there is anything that I should not do when I hopefully start working on my own engines.

[@martytoal6547]

Interesting that you Choose not to use penetrating fluid and heat on the fixings,( great videos 👍🏻)

[@stuartburgess2409]

Great work so far from the UK🎉🎉🎉😊

[@dominicsenibaldi248]

One of my new favorite channels! Always stoked when I see a new video post…..wait…. Was that a boiler pun

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you! I guess the pressure is on to keep producing content.... another boiler pun?

[@dominicsenibaldi248]

@ you’re on track with that pun….

[@holnrew]

Watched all the videos in this series but only just noticed I wasn't subscribed. Sorted that now, don't want to miss any future vids

[@SurgingApocalypse]

Can't wait till the day you do the slip test!

[@columbiaoutdooradventures]

Great video! Nailed it once again

[@paulipippola2575]

What an extremely cool project! Big fan of your style of making these videos as well, they are a joy to watch.

[@markclifton14]

Great progress guys 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@professorfalken4600]

Great project

[@walterbeech]

Please show the hammer testing, (7:20)we are all learning from this! Thank you!

[@Wreck2Restored]

I will make a point of discussing it at length in a future episode

[@ColinSBC]

Yes, please go over the process of hammer testing parts on a locomotive.

[@art1muz13]

Great episode as always

[@65peterbilt]

realy like youre videos ,great work all around!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!

[@MothflavoredJam]

that old footage of that steam engine being scrapped genuinely made me quite sad. trains are amazing, and its awful to think how many where abandond or roughly torn apart for the metal

[@trainnerd3029]

I didn’t have my readers on when your video dropped, and at first glance, I thought the title was “restomoding steam cylinders“ lol! 🤓

[@FunWithHOScaleStuff]

Interesting process. Regards.

[@marlboromount]

This is very cool.

[@rikb.7772]

YAY another video! I am so Glad!

[@JockeB70]

Wow this was so interesting to watch! New subscriber here ofc!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you!

[@jacobcox198]

ill be waiting

[@tacfoley4443]

What is the purpose of the bevel gear on the leading axle? Great series, BTW, I'm enjoying it immensely and looking forward greatly to every installment. Here in UK we treat large casting somewhat differently than the way you mention. They are stored outside to 'age' before any machining is undertaken. That way, the distortions and stresses of the cooling process are a thing of the past. Green castings need to settle.

[@SteamCrane]

Talked about on a previous video. It was converted to gas/diesel at one time.

[@tacfoley4443]

@@SteamCrane Ah, must have missed that. My excuse is that I'm deaf, and sometimes just too proud to turn on the subtitles. Thanks.

[@BattleshipOrion]

Nice to see the love for these two engines. I take it y'all will also be building a new cab for them?

[@Wreck2Restored]

Yes, they will both be getting new wooden cabs

[@eliotreader8220]

great episode I am really enjoying your series as I am interested in engineering from the days of steam. will it be very difficult to repair the damage to the cylinder block

[@colemanbecker1392]

Bolts can't be stuck if they are liquid. 🔥

[@Nas_Atlas]

Great. At least you didn't have to use dynamite to get it apart.

[@B.A.P_Golden_Eagle.]

I’d like to see you hammer test parts of the locomotive.

[@Fierofreak01]

WAY TOO SHORT!! Just got into it and it's done, time flew by too fast.

[@Cody-WW]

The Dynamite may have done more damage than you thought to the studs and frame

[@biancadarosa9053]

Get him a verified mark!! Also mention Hyce

[@silentotto5099]

There is nothing about restoring and maintaining steam locomotives that I find uninteresting. Hammer test away! I saw another video where someone was using a hammer to tap on the exhaust manifold of a plane engine and using the sound to tell if there were any cracks or not. A nice ring meant that it was in good shape, and if it sounded clunky that meant that it was bad. Same principle?

[@stevemellin5806]

I don't know if they heat treated the part s back then . question are you going to heat treat the new parts. Or you don't have to . thank you

[@svenschlenkrich]

Removing cylinders is not uncommon at all. On general repairs or when cyinders where worn out or in case of damages cylinders were taken off for extensive machining or replacement. The design with the wedges is very interesting, I never saw that before. It might be typical for older american designs but not in European locomotive building. Thank you for the interesting video.

[@motorv8N]

Another fantastic video (and another vote for the testing session…) How do you come to know so much about how these things are built and restored?

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you! I've been very fortunate to have a lot of knowledgeable folks in my life who enjoy passing on their wisdom.

[@drewmog123456]

What will you do about the damage to the castings?

[@RustBucketYT]

Will the part where the conductor stays be built for behind the steam engine?

[@GGnick-cy1xg]

I'm curious what the stream engine is I hear running in the background during this video?

[@ninja2kernow]

True rusteration

[@00nutt]

I'm just curious what is your job description?

[@johns6331]

Try penetrating oil instead of WD-40 for everything! And unless you're replacing studs, don't hammer them without a nut screwed onto the end.

[@Wreck2Restored]

The studs mentioned in this episode are all getting replaced. You are quite right about using a nut on studs you want to save.

[@danielgriffith7694]

I would have thought you would have separated the 2 cylinder castings while you had help and access to a torch and opportunity

[@weekendrailroader]

What's chugging away in the background at the shop?

[@Tammy-un3ql]

👍👍👌👌

[@fwinckowski]

Front left forklift tire is low...

[@brianpoi5117]

Watching people swing that huge sledgehammer is enough to hurt my back. How many pounds is it?

[@Wreck2Restored]

I think it was around 10-15 lbs

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

looks like a model T sitting in bed of truck

[@thebuilderxen6858]

(Warning the video is advritized to not be used as a step) *Little do they know, i'm going to come back to this channel and copy the whole thing they done.*

[@leslieferguson7548]

Be wary of the insulation that fell out from around the steam cylinders, as it may well be pure asbestos fiber, which was widely used at time this loco was constructed.

[@joenewstead4848]

Are you in oregon or the pnw?

[@sausagefingers2885]

Is that glorious background noise a hit-n-miss engine powering something???

[@clintonelliott340]

Thanks!

[@Wreck2Restored]

Thank you for watching!