Work Session Status Week Ending 12/24/2016

December 28, 2016

The work site this week was a mixed bag of work. Some directly to the 2926 while others continued replacing bogie cylinders on Lurch. Three are now done and the forth to be done next Saturday.

Sheet metal work progressed on the fireman’s side steam chest cylinders. We expect the first course behind the firebox door to be completed soon this week.

Work on the 26L air brake system resumed Saturday, more fittings were permanently installed and measurements for more hoses were taken and ordered.

Installation of small tubing began for the boiler pressure gauge. More fittings were picked up to complete the installation this week.

Something, possibly a new tradition, was accomplished this week orchestrated by our very own Ron T. The restoration site was transformed into a winter wonderland complete with many colored lights, luminarias along with hot chocolate and hot apple cider (compliments of our own Bill W. and his wife), cookies from our membership and even Santa made an appearance.

The public was invited and close to 400 people visited the site. We advertised we would be open between 6 – 10 PM. The merchandise store was selling last minute gifts. The rain held off until after 9 PM and the crew quickly disconnected all the light cords and Dave V. used Lurch to push the loco and tender back into the safety of the engine house. It was a good training opportunity to deal with the locomotive under nighttime conditions.

Don’t forget the Annual Safety “refresher” January 21st from 8 AM – 12 PM at the Local Union 412 Plumbers and Pipefitters Hall located at 510 San Pedro SE, ABQ, NM. Again, this is only for those that have already been through safety training. If you are a new member and want to sit through the training it would be something very useful, but you’ll still need to go through an all day safety training at a time to be announced later. This particular training session is very important and will be provided by Warren Scholl who helped us with training last year at the same time of year. Many thanks to him for coming from KS to give us training and spend the day with us.

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

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