[SEL] Rice & Sargent steam engine progress

[James Mackessy]

Hi All!
     Those of you that have been on here for four or five years may remember
the
rescue of a 450 H.P. Rice & Sargent Corliss steam engine from the basement
of
the now demolished L.C.Smith and Brothers Typewriter Company. Inspired by
the SEL group, and the Tod Engine Project, we were successful in moving the
engine to a new home, building a museum around it, and obtaining a small
boiler
to roll it over with. We are getting closer to opening the museum, but a few
critical
items are holding us up. We need to bore the engine, as there was some
scoring,
so I have made up a rig for that, there is a little lubrication piping to be
done, but
the big item is piping up the boiler to the engine. We restored a steam pump
for
another museum and received a nice donation for our efforts, and we are
buying
the 4" stop and check valve for the top of the boiler as well as some 6"
schedule
80 pipe to serve as a header. The valve turned out to be about a $1200.00
item,
so we shopped for a used valve and managed to find a rebuilt valve for
$800.00.
The problem is, that valve weighs 250 lbs. and is in Lynwood, California. I
think
I can safely assume freight will eat up the difference, as we are in
Camillus, N.Y.,
just west of Syracuse. So, we are asking for a little advice.... should we:
1)Try to find a rebuilder closer to home? I've been searching for a while,
but I don't
   know everyone, so if you know of a valve rebuilder that may have a
y-pattern
  4" stop & check globe valve such as a Crane 28E, let us know. Or...
2)Give up the $400.00 savings ( a lot of money, to us anyways!) and buy a
new
   one locally? Or...
3)Try to arrange a ride (or rides) for it from Lynwood, CA to points east
until
   we get it home?
     I'm a little hesitant about asking since it's not a gas engine and is
heavy, too
much for one guy without equipment to handle alone, but I have seen this
list
accomplish wondrous feats when it comes to helping old iron migrate to a new
home. What do you think, is this a project worthy of SEL help, or too far
OT?
If you do think a ride can be arranged, what is the proper way to go about
it?
I'd appreciate your views, and thanks for taking the time in advance!
    You can see what's been done so far at:
http://www.eriecanalcamillus.com
Just click on "Steam Engine".
Best Regards;
Jim Mackessy
Camillus Canal Park Steam Museum
Camillus, New York, USA