steam engine inspection

Charlie M · Jun 9, 2022

This is a question for the guys operating steam engines at tractor shows. I'm assuming you have to have some kind of regular inspection by a government agency to keep them certified to run? If so is it state regulations or federal regulations that you have to be certified to. Reason I'm asking is we have a guy near Buffalo that owns and operates a small steam locomotive and he was scheduled to operate it at our rail road museum in August but he has run into a problem renewing his certification. The federal office in Buffalo that used to have a person closed and he can't find anyone in the federal government that knows anything about it. I'm wondering how getting it done for a tractor is different than getting it done for a locomotive. Are steam tractors more state regulated so no connection to the feds?

redforlife · Jun 9, 2022

The boiler (mainly), I believe is what has to be inspected. A passed inspection is time sensitive (meaning, only good for so long). Good or bad, it has to be re-inspected again when the time runs out.

That said, I'm guessing his time ran out and things have changed for re-inspection during that period of time.

I think it's a federally required test, but I'd imagine something can be found out through the state. If a branch office is now closed, I'd dig deeper into it. Probably something got consolidated and you now have to go through another place. Perhaps the state capital could point you in the right direction (as in, the new place to go).
Even if the state is completely un-involved, they should still be able to tell you what to do/where to go.

J Hamilton · Jun 9, 2022

Might contact the state fire marshalls office, they may be able to help with who to contact for boiler inspections on steam equipment

Oregon Tractor Jack · Jun 9, 2022

My son has a boiler license for the state of Oregon. The boilers are inspected yearly and a specified to run at reduced pressures, at least for steam tractors. I have never seen any of the tractors at our show running at anything more than a idle for the most part.

OTJ

Cash4Toys · Jun 9, 2022

Should only be a state inspection, by the state boiler inspectors. It is anual inspection, and states do vary. Hydrostatic testing is common, but then there is also some visual, along with a hammer test, which resembles a chipping hammer. If areas of the boiler are in question an xray maybe required. Piping is the other thing that in my state needs to be heavy wall black pipe.Injectors and number of is also inspected. Here in Minnesota, 10 years back or maybe a little more, a lot of engines were reduced to tea pots. Another thing is, if has not been inspected annually, its tougher to get good pressure back on them. I know of a couple that were at 150 psi when parked do a death, then when its sold on the estate sale they end up with a mere 100 psi, if their lucky.

Dave41A · Jun 9, 2022

Boilers and steam locomotives are regulated differently. Boilers are usually regulated at the state level, but locomotives receive federal oversight. This is from the days of ICC oversight and FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) when steam locomotives were then when jumbo jets and interstate trucking are today. Of course, the train itself still receives federal oversight regardless of the motive power.

It is possible that a miniature narrow-gauge locomotive would not be federally regulated as it never crosses state lines.

Is the locomotive owner's name 'Harris' by chance?

NY boiler inspection posted below, Federal in link:
Rochester office services Erie CTY.

Boiler Safety Bureau
Rochester District Office
109 South Union Street, Room 402, Rochester, NY 14607
Tel 585-258-4575 FAX 585-258-4593
Christopher Okoniewicz, Sr.Insp. [email protected]
Counties Served: Allegany; Cattaraugus; Chautauqua; Erie; Genesee; Livingston; Monroe; Niagara; Ontario; Orleans: Steuben; Wayne; Wyoming; Yates
FRA regulations for steam locomotives

Roger Tomfohrde · Jun 9, 2022

In MN it would be a Hobby license if not run full time, and once obtained you just pay the fees to get it renewed for the person. The vessel is under different rules though. I have been involved in only stationary vessels so I have no experience with the movable vessels.

db4600 · Jun 9, 2022

Although Im not an engineer Junkshow has the boilers inspected by the state every year. One year is a hydro test and the next year an ultrasound on alternating schedule for both traction and stationary boilers.

Russ from MN · Jun 9, 2022

A few years ago at Rollag MN they had a big steamer on the Prony brake (dyno) and had it up to well over it's rated HP, I don't think it was running at a reduced pressure!

showcrop · Jun 10, 2022

Contact the "Rough and Tumble Thresherman's Association" in Kinzers PA. They hold their annual steam show August 17-20. Part of the event is to have the official boiler inspection and certification of all the assoc. owned steamers as well as privately owned steamers brought in for running display. Your friend should be able to arrange to get his done there or if that isn't possible for him they would be able to get him set up with another time and place.

steam engine inspection

Charlie M

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redforlife

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J Hamilton

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Oregon Tractor Jack

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Cash4Toys

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Dave41A

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Roger Tomfohrde

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db4600

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Russ from MN

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showcrop

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