Steam & Excursion > ATSF 2926 Update - November 14, 2015

As noted in the latest work update, weather has been iffy for work. Albuquerque received it's first snow on Tuesday with overnight lows in the 20's. Tomorrow's work day will be challenging with the high in the 40's and a brisk northeast wind. As the CMO notes, it's going to be a long, cold four months ahead until spring. Work included brake shoe fitting, lube line cleaning (or repairing or replacement, as necessary), painting of running boards following final fitting, final sand dome welding and grinding smooth. Flexible staybolt caps were removed, threads chased and refitted to ensure seating with the copper ring seal.
http://nmslrhs.org/Status/status.php

Two sets of photos have been posted showing volunteers working the topics mentioned above, young visitors, and as always, kitty pictures.
http://nmslrhs.org/Photos/2015/11-07/index.html
http://nmslrhs.org/Photos/2015/11-14/index.html

With winter's cold and snow now upon us, the GoFundMe donations for an engine shed still have quite a way to go to reaching the $100,000 dollar mark. When that is reached, an anonymous donor will fund the rest of the cost of the structure. Though it may be too late for construction this year, please consider a donation of any amount to the project to keep the engine safe from New Mexico's infamous spring sand storms. The link is provided below.
http://www.gofundme.com/SantaFe2926?utm_medium=wdgt

Home page:
http://nmslrhs.org/

1. Machine shop apprentice
2. Lube line fittings - designed for heavy duty and long life.
3. Fitting of the new running boards.

 



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/15 17:33 by Cumbresfan.

---

---

---

4. Reading the blue prints. The society has a complete set of builder's blueprints.
5. Welding the sand dome back together. It had been cut apart to replace the wedge-shaped distributor which was rusted out.
6. Kitty getting a dust bath. With winter's rain and snow already upon us, this will soon be a muddy area.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/20/15 16:33 by Cumbresfan.

---

---

---

This is a feel good post.  Espcieally love seeing the young guys working.  Are they volunteers, or contract? 

All volunteers except for contract workers for very specialized work such as sealing the new flues in the boiler, fabrication or replacement of special parts (outsourced), or track work on the siding. However, some of the volunteers are professionals like the machinists, plumbers and pipefitters which saves on contract labor.

Besides the onsite volunteers, there is a very extensive group of company and private sponsors that have contributed to purchase of the necessary parts, inkind labor, or cash donations. A list of companies and organizations that have donated time and/or materials to the society can be found here:
http://nmslrhs.org/Thanks/thanks.php

Also, in the past couple of years, individual donations have paid for the flues ( http://nmslrhs.org/Shop/FlueTubes/fluesheet.php ), superheater tubes ( http://nmslrhs.org/Shop/Superheaters/superheaters.php ) and brake shoes ( http://nmslrhs.org/Shop/BrakeShoes/brakeshoes.php ).

Currently, in addition to the GoFundMe campaign for the engine house, sponsorships to assist with purchase or fabrication of remaining specialized parts are available:
http://nmslrhs.org/Shop/Steam2015/sponsorships.php


 

Based on photographic evidence, I would say the kitties are NOT starving!!!!

The kitties are indeed well fed with both water and food feeders on site plus crunchies placed at various spots. As they generally hangout in the unheated building north of the tender (it has broken windows) you are also seeing winter and fluffy fur in the early morning chill. Though feral, most if not all have been caught and had a trip to the vet so they no longer can breed. I haven't seen any pictures of kittens so its likely a  stable population. 

That is  all good  news. And  probably not free.

Wish I was still traveling back 'n forth to Albuquerque like I was 1-1/2 years ago for work. I'd time my trips to get in a day's work on the 2926. Miss that !

My start occasional trips may start up again - fingers crossed !

Mike

That rail behind the cat was forged a century before the kitty was!!

Thanks for the update.