The Shay boiler has been completed and tested by Richard Jacobs of TrainMax, LLC in New Orleans, LA. As soon as I got the good news, I hit the road to pick it up. I was so excited that I managed to drive from Orlando to New Orleans and back in one day.

If you’re going to do a hydrostatic pressure test, GO BIG! One of the largest gauges I’ve ever seen used for testing a model boiler!
 

The boiler was lifted out of the shop with a forklift and placed into my SUV for the return trip home.
 

Using an rolling engine hoist, I was able to move the boiler into the shop for cleaning, priming, and installation onto the Shay frame.
 

After a wire wheel treatment to remove minor surface rust, I treated the boiler to a coat of primer to protect it while I continue work on it. It will eventually get painted black once the various accessory components are attached/welded on.
 

I’m very proud to own the first Shay boiler fabricated by TrainMax, serial #SH001.
 

The boiler test-fitted onto the Shay frame. Here, it is resting on 1″ square tubing while the front is held down with a ratchet strap because the firebox, with so much mass, wants to tip backwards.
 

Angle brackets welded onto the sides of the firebox. Care was taken to avoid existing firebox stay bolt welds. The horizontal gap in the middle of the bracket will receive a boiler clamp that bolts onto the frame.
 

The front boiler saddle tack welded into place on the frame. With the boiler now resting in its proper place, the temporary ratchet strap was removed.

Lots of plumbing yet to do!