Steam & Excursion > ATSF 2926 Updates - August 2015

Four sets of updates and photos have been posted at their web page. However, between my being away from the computer for ten days and then finding it died when I turned it back on, I'm just now posting after getting familar with a new one and new operating system too (my IT folks still have my old hard drive with pics and such on it).

Work during the month was mainly removing, cleaning, repairing, painting and then reinstalling "smaller" items not previously worked on. Examples are lube line cleanout and replacement, installing new bushings in various air brake levers, broken stud bolt removal and replacement, and sand dome refurbishment. Work has been slowed by the August heat which unlike July was almost free of cooling thundershowers. They are getting close to air testing the boiler and replacement superheater tubes prior to hydro tests which hopefully will be performed in October.
Links to the Work Status and Photo pages are below:
http://nmslrhs.org/Status/status.php
http://nmslrhs.org/Photos/photos.php

The home page ( http://nmslrhs.org/ ) has additional news and information:
The annual open house (last one at the restoration site, future ones at the operations site [they are the same!]) occurs on September 26. Link to the flyer:
http://nmslrhs.org/Events/OpenHouse2015/OpenHouse2015Flyer.pdf

The GoFundMe drive received a boost with local TV station KRQE13 doing a promotional video:
http://krqe.com/2015/08/08/restorers-seek-200k-for-protection-for-rebuilt-steam-locomotive/
(They misstated when the engine will be fired up - it will certainly occur before next summer.)
http://www.gofundme.com/SantaFe2926?utm_medium=wdgt

Besides GoFundMe, there are numerous other ways to support the restoration and preparation for operation. Below is a link to a list of how you can contribute:
http://nmslrhs.org/Help/howtohelp.php

Finally (and this is Breaking News), the Society has received a grant of $25,000 from the John H. Emery Rail Heritage Trust. The amount has been matched by volunteer hours, donated items received for the locomotive, and cash gifts received thus far in 2015. (As a side note, the Trust contributed $1,800 to the 611 restoration. The amount the 2926 group received shows the belief they have in the thorough way restoration has been conducted and the confidence they have in the completion and future operation of the engine.) The 2926 group sincerely thanks the Emery Rail Heritage Trust for their contribution and looks forward to thanking trust advisory committee members in person when the restored engine is operational.

1. The Johnson bar is reinstalled.
2. New flexible lube lines installed
3. Fence repairs - it sure would be nice to have an enginehouse to supplement a strong, razor wire-topped fence for security!


 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/15 16:07 by Cumbresfan.

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What do you plan to use the signal line for?

I'm surprised by the statement, "air testing the boiler". Hopefully each and every superheater units was hydro tested individually, prior to installation. Also, hopefully the boiler had water added in order to make sure that none of the flues/tubes didn't leak prior to installation of all the superheater units. 

Great to see such progress. I was honored to volunteer there while I was traveling monthly to Albuquerque for 2 years. Unfortunately, it's been over a year since I've been there. Hope to make it out there again soon ! My work duds are still sitting in the office shelf (I hope) along with others in my similar volunteering situation !

Mike

The NMSLRHS project should get a "Bob the Builder Can-Do Crew" award for the steady progress toward bring this engine back to life.  And we cat lovers applaud their taking care of the furry residents of the workplace.

wish ABQ powers would get you in the roundhouse

Except the roundhouse is long gone...do you mean the backshops?

Posted from iPhone

Frisco1522 Wrote:
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> What do you plan to use the signal line for?

The signal line was a secondary air line to signal the cab of another engine during a double header before the use of radios. How it specifically worked, I don't know. They are restoring it for use as an air source for work near the front of the engine when under steam. Otherwise, they would need a long air line from a compressor and generator. With all bearings being roller bearings, use of air to push lubricant to plain-bearing side rods (as with ATSF 3751) is not necessary. However, there may still be a need for an air supply for tools and that will be it's current use.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/15 13:41 by Cumbresfan.

HotWater Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm surprised by the statement, "air testing the
> boiler". Hopefully each and every superheater
> units was hydro tested individually, prior to
> installation. Also, hopefully the boiler had water
> added in order to make sure that none of the
> flues/tubes didn't leak prior to installation of
> all the superheater units. 

Air testing of the boiler will be done with smoke to detect leaks prior to boiler hydrotesting. Regarding the superheaters, they will be tested individually with air and water prior to installation, a tedious process.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/15 14:20 by Cumbresfan.