November 4, 2013 This past week many hours were spent grinding wasted metal from the flexile staybolt sleeves. This work will continue for some time in preparation for our guest welders as well as our regular ones. Welch’s Boiler Service sent three welders and a helper this past Friday. They were able to weld on […]

October 30, 2013 Much of the work the past several weeks has focused on preparing the flexible staybolt sleeves for repair. Old wasted sleeves are continually being removed while their replacements are being cut to fit and beveled. Elsewhere on site driver brake shoes were installed for eventual air cylinder testing. Trailing truck air brake […]

October 22, 2013 After taking two weeks off for R & R Gail and I returned to the restoration site this past Wednesday. Thanks to Bob D. for filling in during my absence as assistant CMO. Work continues on the flexible staybolt sleeves both removing wasted ones and welding on new ones. We are currently […]

October 1, 2013 This past week was spent proparing for the open house last Saturday. The restoration site received finishing touches as tarps were hung for the shade, tables and chairs were set out and varouis equipment installed on the locomotive for display. Early Saturday morning the restoration site came alive. Dr. Mike provided the […]

September 23, 2013 Sprucing up the restoration site for open house weekend resumed in earnest this week. Brooms and dust pans worked overtime as other volunteers rearranged work benches, fab tables and various pieces of equipment. Wheels, drivers and other previously painted surfaces were cleaned and wiped down. Touch-up painting was done on the smoke […]

September 16, 2013 The State of Colorado wasn’t the only place to receive record breaking rains this past week. New Mexico also got its share of precipitation, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since 1929. Our scheduled work sessions on Wednesday and Saturday were mostly spared from the deluge with skies remaining clear. It […]

September 9, 2013 Preparations for the upcoming open house continued this week. More piping was cleaned, painted and installed. More sheet metal insulation covers were fabricated and are ready for paint. Volunteers have been hard at work grinding excess weld material around the flexible staybolt sleeves in preparation for the new sleeves to be welded […]

August 26, 2013 This week fabrication of the replacement cab brackets continued. The welding of the two inner brackets was completed. The remaining mounting holes are being drilled and tweaked for final fit. Telltale hole drilling of the small air brake reservoir tank was completed. Burrs from the drilling process were removed. Both tanks are […]

August 20, 2013 More parts cleaning and painting work was done this week. The area under the rear of the cab was cleaned and prepped for paint. The large exhaust piping and the surrounding areas were also painted. Trailing truck air brake levers were being removed for cleaning and inspection Saturday. A depth gauge was […]

August 12, 2013 August began with a bit lower temperatures here in ABQ. Our large press cylinder repair was completed and was reassembled into its frame. Weld test coupons were prepared for Carlos to take a MIG 6-G test. The test was completed Saturday and straps were cut. They will be prepped and bent next […]