Work Session Status Week Ending 11/15/2014

November 18, 2014

All accessible staybolt sleeves have been repaired. The cab is scheduled to be removed once again to enable our welder to repair those sleeves adjacent to the cab. Electrical conduit will also be installed while the cab is on the ground and more accessible.

Lube lines continue being cleared of old oil and debris. They are being identified and tagged as well.

All three mechanical lubricators have been installed along with their operating linkages.

The machine shop continues fabricating air brake linkage bushings. Other brake linkages are being removed and worn bushings pressed out of their ends.

The timing gear bearing surfaces are still being restored to eliminate excessive clearance between the sliding parts.

The sander hole cover for the firebox door was completed this week. The old stud was removed and the new cover installed.

A wooden part for the cab train order box was cut and painted. The original was rotted and beyond salvaging.

The merchandise store work continues as our electrician began wiring lights and cooling fans. Swing-up counter windows were also being built.

Carlos’ welding machine returned from the repair doctor Saturday. As it turned out it just needed a good cleaning and some TLC.

As usual various parts and equipment were being cleaned and painted. Friday Dr. Mike ventured down to the south valley for a visit with Scott Altenbach. He returned with a donated dynamo. If the unit is found to be serviceable it will be used in tandem with our original unit. It will not only provide redundancy it will also provide power to equipment not originally installed on the 2926.

Also, on Friday a handful of volunteers arrived on site after lunch to dress up the front of the locomotive for a TV commercial to be aired later this month. The 2926 was the stand-in for the Berkshire showcased in the movie “Polar Express”. The spot is for the Durango and Silverton’s version of the experience the children in the movie enjoyed. Check with Durango and Silverton for tickets and availability. Dr. Mike will let us know when KASA plans to air the commercial.

Hope to see you at the site this week, and as usual . . .

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