Work Session Status Week Ending 09/22/2018

September 24, 2018

Hello Steamers!

Madame Secretary and I are back from our nearly two weeks of R&R. Thanks to all who continued on in our absence.

This week, other than the usual work details, we began prepping the site for the Annual Open House this coming Saturday. Everyone in the near Albuquerque area continue to spread the word and invite everyone you know.

Regular workers need to be on site at 7:00 AM to begin final set-up. The normal helping of burritos provided by Dr. Mike will be on hand for consumption.

Elsewhere on site the cleaning and polishing of the tender and locomotive began with a power wash and the application of a product from DriWash & Guard Int’l, which was generously donated a while back.

More pieces for the cab fold-up seat were fabricated. These will be used for the foot rest assembly.

We also received the large repair die to re-thread the failed valve bonnet threads. A special holder for that die was also fabricated so it can be operated from outside of the confined area of the valve.

The car mover received a much needed new operator seat. Another upgrade completed.

Our new store set-up is nearing completion. Workers have been restocking all the shelves and cabinets with sellable items in time for the open house.

More throttle valve lapping was done this week. It was discovered that the superheater thermowell for the thermocouple was interfering slightly with the #6 valve. The fix is in.

The tender badge castings are being poured each work session in order to try and keep up with our orders. Order your badge today, but it may be 6-8 weeks out before you can get it. Nice Christmas present too! They are $100 each and if you’re out of town it’s an extra $10 to ship to your address. Please contact Rick Marsden by email or through Facebook. We need your phone number as well if possible. Rick’s address is hdric@verizon.net.

Those within reach, we hope to see you at the open house this Saturday. Wednesday we’ll finish cleaning the site and getting it ready for Saturday’s event. It’s 9-5 for those that want to attend.

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

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