Out with the old, in with the new

Four years after Atlas Machine Co.'s generous work on the Belle's main engines, it was time to change the piston rings. As an engineer, it's nice to have original specs. now from Atlas' work to know exactly how much wear is happening. Since the pistons we're rebuilt and cylinders bored, it has also helped greatly to steady the paddlewheel bearings. Even though these engines were built to be very forgiving to handle the rigors of working on the river, changes--even small ones--to one part of these engines can have a significant effect in other parts of the system. A paddlewheel, for example, that is not kept tight with loose wedges and stirrups can wreak havoc on bearings and work an engineer to death!