Jumbo, an 1895 12-hp. steam engine tractor, is operational again thanks to the efforts of Local 363.
PMC donates material; members provide labor at no cost to museum
THE LABOR AND Industry Museum in Belleville, Ill., was stumped. “Jumbo,” their 12-hp. steam engine tractor built in 1895 by Harrison Machine Works in Belleville, was out of commission. Jumbo needed work on the firebox section of its boiler, and the museum couldn’t find an organization willing to make the costly repairs. That is until they called their area Boilermaker hall — Local 363.
BM-ST Rick Eller put together a team, at no cost to the museum, to get the job done. L-363 members cut out an exterior section of the deteriorated firebox plate where a damaged staybolt was located. Using both modern cutting and welding techniques and historical hammer peening methods, the members installed a new plate and staybolt. With museum representatives providing insight, the repairs were made with Local 363 providing the shop area, tools, and labor. PMC, a Boilermaker contractor, provided the materials, performed the quality control functions, and arranged for Arise Inc. (an inspection service company) to provide the state-required inspection so Jumbo could be operated in public.
Thanks to their efforts, Jumbo — a real piece of American history — is back in operation.
