April 2, 2019 The root valve was the most difficult task as rethreading dies were manufactured along with a new valve stem retaining nut. We have also been working on the second dynamo to seal a lubricant leak. A high pressure air test revealed small leaks at the sight glass boiler connections. New brass adapters […]

March 11, 2019 This week we enjoyed better working conditions as to the weather. More electrical conduit was installed on both sides of the engine. The forward dynamo was installed and the necessary piping connected. The aft dynamo is not yet ready to be installed. The fuel line from the tender was shortened a bit […]

March 4, 2019 We performed an air test Wednesday and found a few more minor leakers, then tagged each one to be addressed this past Saturday. New brass adapters will need to be fabricated for the new sight glasses. The electricians have pretty much decided as to where the conduits need to be installed. New […]

February 25, 2019 Over the last several work sessions the weather has been such that our work sessions have been, to say the least, not conducive for working outside. One day we heated the engine house and performed minor jobs inside. Other workers stayed in the Reefer Office and participated in the newly compiled engine […]

February 13, 2019 Madam Secretary, Gail, and I are back from the RPCA Convention in Ohio. The past couple of weeks we have been catching up. Currently we have been trouble-shooting a finicky A-9 ABV valve pipe bracket gasket. We have ordered two repair kits both of which had defective gaskets, another is on its […]

January 30, 2019 Since we decided to install modern sight glass valves a new bracket had to be fabricated and installed. Now that the tender has been reunited with the engine a new emergency fuel shut-off cable was measured and installed. The jump seat, behind the engineer, has been fitted with a foot rest. It […]

January 7, 2019 Late December and so far in January has brought us driving rain, snow and bitter cold temperatures. We have been forced to suspend work sessions and work periodically inside the engine house. Our 400,000 BTU torpedo heater came in handy for that. On the more tolerable days much needed infrastructure work was […]

Ernie Robart died in Albuquerque, NM on December 24, 2018. Ernie is survived by his wife, Lourdes Catalan Robart; his brother, Myron Robart; his niece, Myrene Eklund; and his nephew, David Robart, all of Albuquerque. Ernie is also survived by his numerous friends who enjoyed his company as a world-class photographer and railroad historian. A […]

December 12, 2018 The tool car work in Ohio continues as the various truck parts are dye-penetrate checked and any repairs completed. Two coil springs for the trucks have been ordered due to excessive wear and one which was broken. This will be shipped direct to Ohio. The under car generator for the tool car […]

November 27, 2018 After going through a bout of respiratory illness for the past three weeks I am on the road to recovery. Thanks to Bob D. and all the crew for keeping things going while I was out. This report will be a bit sketchy and will do what I can from conversations with […]