Last Update: February 1, 2010 |
History of the OPR - East Portland Branch - Molalla Branch - Videos of the OPR in Action News & Upcoming Events - Photos of Past Events - Roster of the OPR Special Features |
History of the OPR - East Portland Branch - Molalla Branch - Videos of the OPR in Action News & Upcoming Events - Photos of Past Events - Roster of the OPR Special Features |
In January of 2010, repairs were needed on the prime mover of No. 801. The blower needed to be exchanged for a rebuilt unit and one of the power assemblies was leaking and needed to be removed, resealed and reinstalled. While the OPR crew does 99% of its own maintenance and work on all track and equipment and locomotives, Jerry Van Loo, a heavy diesel mechanic is often contracted out to do heavy diesel work on the OPR locomotives. Jerry has been working on and rebuilding OPR locomotives for many years. Most work is done on site with Jerry's mobile mechanical service. The 801 has a 567B V-8 diesel engine, producing 800 h.p. The engine had almost seen its last days in the late 1990s. In fact, No. 1810 was originally purchased with the intent of replacing the 801. But Jerry Van Loo was able to rebuild it by replacing most or all of the power assemblies and it has continued to serve the OPR for well over another decade. And these minor repairs should keep the 801 going for a quite a bit longer. Today, the No. 801 serves along with the No. 901 on the Molalla Branch as one of two primary locomotives. The 801 is most often used to service Willamette Egg and RSG Forest Products at the far end if the line, and therefore sees the most miles and the most use, switching the longest loads of cars from the far end of the branch to the interchange. For more information on the No. 801, visit our No. 801 Page. For more information on the Molalla Branch, visit our Molalla Branch Page. Photos are courtesy of OPR's Craig Samuels. |
Copyright © 2004-2010 All Rights Reserved Webmaster Brian McCamish Oregon Pacific Railroad Webmaster |
Photo on the left is the airbox cover removed to show the air intake ports of the assembly liner. Photo in the middle is looking at the top of the power assembly with the valve cover removed. The power assembly on the right is the one to be removed. Exhaust valve gear is removed in preparation for the power assembly removal in the right photo. |
Repairing Engine 801's Prime Mover |
With the crab nuts removed and the rod unbolted from the crankshaft, the power assembly is now ready to be removed from the block. OPR's Craig Samuels operates the crane that lifts the power assembly out of the block. Jerry Van Loo (pictured) guides the assembly out. |
Looking into the block where the power assembly once was. |
Looking inside the opening in the side of the block at the crankshaft and rod journal of the power assembly that was just removed. |
Jerry resealing the power assembly and reinstalling it into the block. |
The power assembly reinstalled and the preparing the valve gear for reinstallation. A view of a torque arm that appears to be used to turn the motor, for aligning the crack and piston rod. |
Interesting torque multiplier tool/adapter used to torque the huge crab bolts that hold the power assembly into the block. |