This post is a follow-up to the 2020 post Installing the Throttle Rod.

One of the next steps at SPEC Machine has been to finish the installation of the throttle rod and handle on the backhead of the boiler.  Many of the new parts were shown in the December 25, 2020 update and now they have found their final home.  The chromed end of the throttle rod has been mated to the long reach rod and is being fed through the boiler to the throttle proper.  The half-lap and bolted connection is per the C&NW drawings and replaces the threaded coupling that was found when the throttle rod was disassembled.

The packing gland was installed to properly position the rod so the throttle handle anchor could be properly located and studded to the boiler per the C&NW drawing. 

As another part of the 3-dimensional chess moves, the throttle handle support was mocked-up to check not only for correct placement of the handle but also proper clearance over the gauge-cocks and around the boiler stays. 

The original support was an “L” shape with the short leg pointed down.  The new support has the short leg pointed up because the new boiler has a stay rod in the way of the old mounting.  Here is a look at the completed assembly with the support studded to the backhead.  The anchor does have a dog-leg in it per the C&NW drawings.  It also does connect squarely at the stud end even though the camera lens distortion makes it look differently.

Last but not least is a look down the top of the boiler from the throttle handle down to the throttle itself.

In the next update: Installing the hydrostatic lubricator