Montana Boiler

[CaseyD]

The Montana boiler powers the Pabst, Soo, Viallime Corliss, Steam Hammer, and a few other smaller stationary steam engines. Does anyone know what the boiler HP, water volume, last rebuild-anything about it? I'm curious to learn more about one of the largest boilers around.

This picture is from the rear, showing the crew hard at work tending the fire, along with friends that are just as curious about this as I am.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t199/caseyd11/rollag/100_2233l.jpg

CaseyD

[M Kerkvliet]

Tim Moen is a member here, and he should be able to answer all of your questions...

[dachtera]

It has appeared to me, on the hill, and another organization I belong to, that helping out and coming back year after year was really something cool as a kid, and as we have grown older, we come back less and less, or find it a time to see friends more than put in hours. I've been coming to the show and working since I was 15 or 16, and now I'm going on 29 and still return every year as a *vacation* from my job and regular life.

I think those that grew up on the hill, and continue to return each year to contribute and participate show a great deal of dedication to the show. Every bit of volunteering helps contribute to a better show in my mind, and we need to keep attracting new and young faces to WMSTR to continue what so many before us have started.

[Jerry Christiansen]

I think those that grew up on the hill, and continue to return each year to contribute and participate show a great deal of dedication to the show. Every bit of volunteering helps contribute to a better show in my mind, and we need to keep attracting new and young faces to WMSTR to continue what so many before us have started.


Amen.

I didn't join WMSTR until I was an adult. (Well, ok, maybe I am still not an adult but I am old enough that I am supposed to be.) I don't have the "memories from my youth", but I have a lot of good memories from the time I have been involved.

You are absolutely correct that every bit of voluteering is important. Those of us that are 'old hands' need to help the new folks find their spot at Rollag. We need to attract new faces from all age groups and from all walks of life.

Jerry

[CaseyD]

The lifestyle that you had described, Jerry, is the one that I would like to get into there at Rollag, but as you said, I need someone to guide me: I can't just hop up there and shovel coal, or stop by and work on some machinery. It would be great, but it won't happen (atleast with me). I'm looking forward to both steam school, and the show in September, where this year is 'focus on youth.' It will be my chance to show everyone how interested I am.

CaseyD

[Jerry Christiansen]

Hi CaseyD,

I am looking forward to meeting you next summer. If not before, come and look me up during Steam School. We are looking for poeple to work on the Pabst Engine.

A difficulty we recruiting help on the Pabst Engine is that we don't have coal to shovel or levers to pull during the show. Our main "job" during the show is talking with the guests and answering their questions.

The Pabst crew is planning work days on Thursday and Friday right before Steam School.

Jerry

[Brad Thielen]

Your request for information on the Montana Boiler is boiler HP is 126.4 thw water capasity 2500 gallons. The smoke stack is 43 feet high.
Our boiler was first installed at Matese Wyo. for use in the oil fields there. then moved to Lodgegrass Montana to be used in a sawmill but the sawmill burnt down and the boiler was left in a ditch on its side. Don Bradley and his brother found the boiler for us.

[40avery]

I did not know that Don was in on the recovery of the Montana Boiler. I just visited with Don last week. I will have to remember to jog that story out of him next time I visit.:)

[Brad Thielen]

Casey D.
I and both of my two roommates work with and sometimes on the Montana. If There is any other info you want to know Just let me know. I my self also work with the VILLAUME engine inside the Corlliss building.
Are you interested in working With us?
Brad

[CaseyD]

Hi Brad,
It has been a while since I have checked this thread, so I will just reply to ones on each page separately. I would LOVE to come out and work with you on the Montana boiler. You can just post on here when you have a work day planned. I would like to do anything I can at Rollag! Oh, and if the way you spelled 'the V-word engine,' is correct, then it ws misspelled in the visitor pamphlet for '06. Better double check; before the ones for next year are printed!

CaseyD

[CaseyD]

Jerry,
That sounds like a lot of fun, coming out a few days before steam school to help you and the otehrs set up. As I said before, I want to help in any way I can, and hopefully learn something out of it. What would be involved with 'running' the Pabst engine? I watched a couple of guys out there last summer start it, and that seems to be the challenge o the day. The otehr thing I was unsure about is this: "A difficulty we recruiting help on the Pabst Engine is that we don't have coal to shovel or levers to pull during the show." Maybe I will be able to fill this gap this summer.

Brad,
126 HP is quite a bit! and that must be sustainable, so I could imagine that 300-400 peak would be no problem for that giant. When it comes time to add 2,500 gallons of water, how do you go about that? electric pump? Once it is running, is there a mechanical feedwater pump operated by the engine itself? That must have been some sight, seeing anything that big along the road. Did the smokestack come with it? It could go either way, because there are such good metal workers and welders over at Rollag that anything is possible.

Thanks guys,

CaseyD

[Jerry Christiansen]

Casey,

Stop by, say hi and see what you think of the crew. It is important to check a few places. Maybe you will find two or three displays that you like and you and the crew get along.

There is nothing wrong with having more than one "home" at Rollag.

Jerry

[Tim Moen]

Casey, I for one of many would welcome you to help on the Montana Boiler as well as any exhibits in our area! Don't be afraid of stepping in and throwin' coal! When I get more organized, I'll add your info on our list and let you know when our work/play dates are. We fill the water from the lake with a handy bypass hose that Mark Nue made. Beats using the firetruck we used in the old days! Ha! In operation we have an injector that pretty much keeps up with demand running 95% of the time as long as we keep the pressure close to 150#'s. We also have a two cylinder feedwater pump as backup, but as we don't have a preheater, we don't use it much. You ought to hear the story of how the smokestack was put on the boiler!!! Tim