Getting Ready for the Operating Season

Go to youngstownsteel.org to register for our Steam Locomotive Experience.

[@johngeorge1294]

When I first found your site I honestly never thought your ideas, plans,etc. would become a reality. All of you have worked so hard to make my doubts become lost. I worked for a steel company that their presses and forming ring mills where powered by steam. They also had a steam powered hammer. At one time it was possibly the country's largest. They where something to work around when they were running. Today only a small portion of the plant still stands. The hammer is gone, the press is hydraulic and the steam powered mills are gone. I retired years ago. Thank you all for preserving history.

[@matthewgibson4302]

It simply amazes me that you and you dedicated staff and volunteers are working towards having three out of four steam locomotives on site operational (in various iterations of the word "operational"). It is a gross understatement to say this is no small feat.

[@bjrnfrederiksson2505]

Lots of news and I love it. Let's hope for a dry summer so you guys can do some work 💪🏻

[@larrymilliken288]

Thanks, Rick, for the update! One day I hope to visit the museum and see those magnificent steam engines!

[@timeflysintheshop]

Hey Rick! Get a volunteer to follow you around for a day shooting video of what you do there. Then edit it together as a "behind the scenes" at the Youngstown Steel Heritage museum! 👍😀😎

[@cmw184]

So for the PAINT bit, you had it exactly right. Whenever i paint steel, i ALWAYS heat it up to get the water out of it. Always works

[@the_mississippian_railfan]

It woulda been the best thing in the world if yall had a plot of land in the south side of Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania probably wouldn't give yinz as many problems. Still great to see yinz chugging along I got neighbors who remember the J&L Plant here and they love it when I show them your videos

[@lordalexander8005]

Here's a question for you chaps- I've been wanting to make a model of 58 and her sisters (58 in original configuration & now), but I haven't had a single ounce of luck in finding the design prints/working drawings/blueprints (Whatever tickles your fancy). Is there any chance you could point me in the right direction for finding them, or are you just working from what you have in front of you when repairing them?

[@Chessie-Steam-Special]

Number 58, is like the Talyllyn and Dolgoch mix of the USA

[@ASPEST2017]

I was one of the few lucky people who went when the public tours where operating and I wish Ohio didnt screw you over like this I say ya fight that claim but still nice to see everything’s doing well I wanna come back some day lol

[@ASPEST2017]

If you remember me in Ashton jones I remember you spoke to my grandpa or Dave Rhodes around June of 2023

[@LNERMallard]

Still planning on giving 62 the "Mini-Berkshire" makeover?

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

For now it will just get a new smokebox front and be made operational. Our current priorities are to get the remainder of the track built and the Tod Engine finished. It is still the plan to make the 62 into the non saddletank version and it remains to be seen what that will ultimately look like.

[@ldc71960]

Great video Rick...

[@alrui]

Very good as always! Any concerns about lead dust/fumes while removing that paint?

[@pulsenpal7882]

greetings Rick--any chance for a feature video on the bridge crane?--thank you my Friend

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

I was actually thinking of doing just that.

[@werdnaokczub7021]

Can we buy a used passenger car that's all ready been Approved to use? Or copy a design that's been done before?

[@ryano.5149]

I hope you folks are doing ultrasounds on those old boilers.

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

Done last year. Both are in very good condition.

[@ryano.5149]

@@YoungstownSteelHeritage Sweet!

[@ryano.5149]

@@YoungstownSteelHeritage Oh wait... Doy! Was that the video where you were saying the boilers were technically over spec? Like, it was supposed to be half inch in the drawings or something but it's really 5/8ths or something along those lines? Or am I misremembering? You'll have to excuse me, it has been a long week! lol

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

@@ryano.5149 Yes. The firebox was replaced on the 57 and instead of using 3/8" plate such as called for on the drawing, they installed 1/2" plate. The boiler shell is 9/16" which is about 1/8" thicker than the NBIC chart specifies for our operating pressure. The boilers were made thicker to add weight and we are the beneficiary of that decision. The 62 is even heavier with a 3/4" wrapper sheet and 5/8" shell plate. Its boiler card shows a 6.3 factor of safety.

[@ryano.5149]

@@YoungstownSteelHeritage That's incredible! Those little porters are going to be sticking around for a while, that's for sure!

[@christopherkehoe3402]

Can you do a mainline video update?

[@robertsanders6463]

can you leave the mixture for your rust primer.

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

We are using Black Star rust converter that is available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B01283DMGA?psc=1&ref=product_details

[@raymondleggs5508]

CSX boxcar

[@briquetaverne]

Thank goodness you've returned to talking about the train again. This means I can come back and start looking at your videos once more. I'm sorry to hurt your feelings but the other stuff isn't that interesting to me like the trains are. Lets hope you spend more times discussing rail related material.

[@YoungstownSteelHeritage]

No worries. Just watch the videos that interests you. We enjoy working on everything here!