Work Session Status Week Ending 09/14/2013

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 was lightly misting early Saturday out by 9:00am. The sun came out for the remainder of the day.

The third cab bracket parts were cut and bent as needed. They have now been tack welded in place. The whole bracket was removed to facilitate the welding process.

The remaining small parts for the last slack adjuster have been cut. The large steel cube was sent to Noor Mfg. for final machining.

More chassis cleaning and painting was performed this week as we continue preparing for the open house September 28th. Site clean-up has also begun.

Grinding wasted metal from the flexible staybolt sleeves continues. Our boiler welders declined to work Saturday anticipating rainy weather so more grinding was accomplished.

Bolting the cab to the locomotive continued since we didn’t complete it last Sunday. The wooden staircase was then bolted to the rear of the cab so visitors may view the cab restoration work.

Installation of 3″ cold water supply and the 8″ hot water pipe was done Saturday. Some minor alignment work will need to be done next week.

Machining of several new air brake arm pins has begun. Some of them are badly worn as are the arm bushings.

Shortly after our monthly meeting Saturday Dick Downing and Jim Sering arrived on site with a special gift in tow. Driving all the way from Indiana they delivered a freshly restored speeder complete with trailer. It was purchased several years ago from an overgrown lot by Albert Leffler. Dick and his gang agreed to do the restoration. It was a short stay for them however as they needed to get back on the road home.

Hope to see you on site this week, and as always . . .

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