Work Session Status Week Ending 09/12/2015

September 14, 2015

During the past two weeks volunteers are still working through the heat of summer even though we are in September.

Besides the work that goes into preparing for this year’s Open House on the 26th of this month, restoration projects continue in various stages.

It has taken several weeks but the replacement footboards have been laid out for all the bolt holes to be punched out at Reliance Steel next door to the site. The originals were in very poor condition.

All the internal sand dome repairs have been completed. A hard protective layer will be applied prior to rejoining the top and bottom portions.

The removal of the combustion air tube inlets from their flat steel plates have been completed. The plates were cleaned of old paint and crud. New tubes have been cut and the fireman’s side assembly has been re-tubed with all welding completed.

The installation of flexible lubrication hoses is still ongoing. The supplier providing the end fittings received the wrong size so we are awaiting delivery of the required fittings.

The trailing truck air brake cylinders are being installed along with their linkages. Also the last driver brake shoe was installed.

The cab was reinstalled hopefully for the last time this past Saturday. Necessary planning can now begin for the new brake stand and associated parts.

Two more of the air brake slack adjusters were repaired on Saturday. They will need some fine tuning in the next work session.

The power reverse gear control rod was also installed Saturday through the cab.

Some infrastructure work has been going on also. We have had problems for several years with our computer and telephone lines due to the underground wires. A large arch taller than the locomotive has been fabricated and installed. It serves as a conduit and also can support a banner if we wish. Thanks to those that were responsible for helping on that project.

Regarding our upcoming Open House, I want to inform all those who plan to attend we have acquired additional parking next to the restoration site. It will accommodate approximately 60 more vehicles.

To our regular workers please plan to participate. We need as many folks as possible to give tours and answer questions as well as rotate in and out relieving the parking lot attendants. Please plan to stay after close of the day to remove trash and secure the area. There will be a final clean-up and trash haul the Wednesday prior to the Open House.

Hope to see everyone at the site this week, and as always . . .

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