May 21, 2018
This week we concentrated finishing up repairing the various leaking old fittings and valves so their seats were lapped to a shinny new surface.
The casting crew began a new project by fabricating the mold for a new cab light box cover. The pour was made so now the machine work begins to secure the clear insert.
A new bracket was fabricated, which was partially wasted, for the injector valve, but also provided more flexibility to adjust it to fit the steam supply pipe from the turret. That pipe was refabricated outside of NM and had to be reworked to properly line up with the injector valve.
The jacketing crew, headed up by Ed B., soldiers on making templates and trimming newly fabricated pieces to fit. All this jacketing work is getting expensive folks, so send in those tax deductible dollars whenever possible.
The pit received a thorough cleaning after the fuel oil leak from the flue sand box dripped into it. Our on-staff volunteer fireman, Bill Mc. (Pecos Bill), supplied the latest technology, supplies and method to remove the oil.
We welcomed back Dave V. after his brief hospital stay and rest at home. With his supervision we were able to restart the jump seat project, welding and bolting various components together.
Work will continue this week with weather cooperating, and as usual . . .
Keep on Steamin’,
Rick Kirby, CMO
NMSL&RHS