Work Session Status Week Ending 01/20/2018

January 22, 2018

This week workers separated the locomotive from the tender so the drawbars could be loaded Saturday for an annealing trip to Farmington, NM.

Elsewhere on site more small bore control piping was installed and air brake instruments were undergoing testing.

The never-ending job of pipe and equipment bracket fabricating is ongoing.

Our forge masters are hard at work perfecting their brass pouring techniques for the eventual pour of the radial buffer bearing surface. A temporary wooden spacer has been fabricated to take the place of the sliding portion of the buffer.

The safety department and various officers are in the process of preparing fire-up procedures.

The electrical personnel have installed the last piece of MU conduit under the cab floor. We are awaiting the final fabrication and installation of the MU control panel to complete the system.

Another more physical job was completed as sand was loaded into the sand dome with the aid of a forklift. More air piping was also installed for the sand traps.

Most of the piping on the backhead has been completed and supports fabricated for them. Everything was carefully photographed since it all had to be removed to fit up the backhead jacketing. There are most always small adjustments or notches cut after we receive the various pieces from the fabricator. Several pieces have been finished and taken to the paint shop.

More insulation was installed on the lower half of the smokebox. A wonderful job in very cramped areas. We now need to find those pieces of jacketing for the fabricator.

Saturday our Safety Officers presented the annual mandatory safety refresher class. For those who missed this one there will be a make-up class February 17th at 0900 in the Reefer office. Thanks to the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 412 for providing the venue once again and also to Dr.Mike for the breakfast burritos enjoyed by all.

And from Madam Secretary’s desk, since all the Christmas cards have gone out we are still in need of your dollars for membership donations for renewals and, if you wish, extra for the tool car GoFundMe campaign. Even if you paid before the last quarter of 2017, you need to make sure your memberships are up to date. Thanks to those that have given thus far and appreciate your promptness in getting up to date. If you aren’t sure you are up to date, please let me know by calling or emailing Gail.

We hope to see everyone at the site this week, and as always . . .

Keep on Steamin’,
Rick Kirby, CMO
NMSL&RHS