Work Session Status Week Ending 10/14/2017

October 17, 2017

This past week we were able to stop the leak on the main steam valve on the turret. It was hoisted into place atop the locomotive. The four saturated steam pipes from the steam dome to the turret were also lifted up. They will be permanently installed this week.

Small bore piping continues as crews are performing pipe bends one at a time.

The fuel oil pipe from the tender to the locomotive was installed along with the steam pipe to the oil bunker.

Work is progressing on the furnace which will melt the material to repair the radial buffer. The bearing material on the buffer was worn thin and separating from the steel base metal.

Compressor governors and lubricators are undergoing testing using compressed air as a pressure source.

The two front cab windows have now been fabricated and installed. Work now turns to the fireman’s side window which drops down and also slides forward.

All of you who follow our progress remembers last Saturday as we signed the Form 4 documents. One set went to our Regional office for the FRA in Ft. Worth, another to the FRA’s main office in Washington, DC and the third was handed off to our area FRA representative Daniel L.

After Daniel reviewed the documents he gave us a thumbs up giving us permission to fire up the boiler. Another great day in the restoration of the 2926. That day is yet to be determined, but as many of you know it will be the first time since the early 50’s that steam was ever made in this historic engine.

A big “Thank You” goes out to all the volunteers past and present for their dedication and craftsmanship over the last 15+ years. Also to the many members, donors and grants we’ve received, for without you none of this would have been possible as well.

****** Our winter hours goes into effect tomorrow, Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 9:00 AM **********

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

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