November 17, 2019 Electrical work continues in the cab as conduit and wiring is being installed for the various instruments and lighting. We are using warm LED lighting to conserve power. The always present insulating and jacketing project moves along as the various panels are customized to fit each space. The boiler water test station […]

November 5, 2019 This past week we went about fixing minor leaks which were noticed during our successful steam-up and safety valve setting. Various valve packing were removed. High pressure rated packing material was procured and is being installed. The upper certified pressure gauge piping was removed and rerouted away from the vent valve. As […]

October 7, 2019 We had a great open house this year as to visitors and contributions. The site was humming all day with early birds waiting at the gate to get an early start. Thanks to all the volunteers who put in a 10 hour day. Kudos also to B&H wholesale popcorn and workers to […]

September 25, 2019 Gail and I are back to work after a couple of weeks of R & R. While we were gone some good progress was made in several areas of work. Thanks to Tom G. for taking over in my absence and for Gail’s replacement it was Janet P. Thank you both! Both […]

August 13, 2019 As most of you know we steamed up the 2926 for the second time Monday a week ago, July 29th. Matt Casford came in from San Antonio, TX to be our official fireman as he is a member of NMSL&RHS. The steam up went according to schedule until the 290# PRV (Pressure […]

July 16, 2019 Since I last wrote we have been dealing with one leaky flange set on one of the saturated steam pipes from the steam dome to the steam fountain. We are having a new gasket cut and will test it again Wednesday. I had a conversation at length with our tool car inspector. […]

June 26, 2019 These past few weeks we have been waiting for the certified bronze material to arrive for the saturated steam shut-off valve bonnet repair. We received the material on Monday and it was immediately taken to RDM McClintic here in ABQ. It was definitely a challenge to fabricate the bonnet, but John, the […]

June 10, 2019 I don’t have a lot to report on this week since the turret valve repair is holding up several projects. We did locate the certified material for the bonnet repair which cost nearly $800, so send in your “Benjamin’s” (Franklin) if you can. The turret itself is still at the machine shop […]

June 4, 2019 As many of you know we have been having problems with the steam fountain assembly for some time now. The whole assembly was disconnected and the main shut-off valve removed revealing several problems. The thin bonnet threads were in bad condition along with the valve seat. The fountain was taken to our […]

May 22, 2019 Since the last TW3 Madam Secretary, Gail and I left for a week and attended the Golden Spike 150 year anniversary celebration along with the UP 4014 and 844 steam locomotives. There were thousands of people on hand. This past week was spent preparing for the 75th birthday of our own 2926. […]