Work Session Status Week Ending 02/17/2018

February 20, 2018

Work continues on the backhead as volunteers insulate it then install freshly fabricated and painted metal panels.

Other areas of insulation included the underside of the smokebox. All those metal panels have not yet arrived on site.

Workers are now providing paper templates for the jacketing fabricators instead of sending the old original rusted and/or wasted panels.

Much time has been spent on the pilot area air brake connections in the event we aren’t the lead engine.

The air brake crew has been performing more tests on the 26L air brake equipment and chasing down various gremlins hiding in the system.

The louvered cover for the 26L under cab components and piping was completed and sent off to the painter prior to final assembly.

Two metal blanks were cut and installed at the rear of the steam cylinders. These will keep released steam to forward of the engine during steam tests and blow out.

Electricians are still hard at work locating various junction boxes on the engine. A load board is being fabricated so testing of the dynamos can be done during steam up procedures.

The MU mounting bracket, fabricated off site in California by John H., was installed on the brake stand.

John was here this week and met with our air brake specialist Paul B. and electrical engineer Bill R. Many topics were covered and ideas set forth regarding interactions of the MU system, air brakes and the forthcoming PTC.

John also had a session with our resident chemist, Roger J., regarding water treatment. John has experience in that arena due to time spent with the 3751 locomotive.

Saturday John spent time on the mill machining some control notches for the reverser bezel on the MU box.

We have a New Members class coming up on Saturday, March 10th at 0900. Please let CSO Jon S. know if you want to attend or are interested. His email is ​kc5ntw@sdc.org.

There are still several that have not paid their membership donations to date. Please keep Madam Secretary happy so she doesn’t have to ask personally. If you don’t know, please ask Gail at the above email or kirby1953@msn.com.

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Here’s a note from our esteemed President Dr. Mike:

Invitation from the Friends of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad for their annual banquet. TRAINS Editor Jim Wrinn is the featured speaker.

Date:	Friday March 16, 2018
Time:	6:00pm Cocktails (Cash Bar) 7:00pm Dinner 8:00pm Program
Place:	Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center Ocotillo Room 2500 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87110
Cost:	$47/person

Banquet reservations can be made by calling our Albuquerque Office at 505-880-1311 and please RSVP no later than March 12, 2018.

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It’s going to be a cool week for weather, but work will continue as planned so come join us, and as always . . .

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