Are there any updates on the goings-on at the Soule Shops in Chattanooga?

Wouldn't know. People here and elsewhere are blathering about paint and lettering instead of the more interesting stuff going into the rebuilt, such as the use of Flourgold material for the furnace bearers, installation of feedwater heater and stoker, spring pad lubrication for the driver bearings, conversion of leading and trailer truck to rollers, etc.

When I visited TVRM in September, they were really cranking on 4501, but it was rolled so far back into the building you couldn't really tell what the heck they were doing or how far along they were. And our guide either didn't know steam locomotive parts that well or didn't want to allienate everyone else who wouldn't have known what he was talking about, so he couldn't/wouldn't go into details on how far along they were. I can of course assume a lot of progresss has been made since then...

Based on what I'm hearing, 4501 will be functionally a bran-new locomotive when she rolls out, no matter what the paint and lettering looks like. TVRR is a class act, like Strasburg. We can learn a lot from them.

I'm partial to maroon and gray, or chocolate and cream.

dave

I not only find the scope of the work being performed impressive, but the quality and the approach being taken. I wish Mr. Ray would post more, but I imagine he's busy actually getting the locomotive ready.

He's been around nearly every day by the time I've gotten off 630 for the day. Don't go back to the back too much, but I know recently there's been a large shift more toward running gear work; prepping the frame, constructing trailing truck modifications, etc. Mark and others more involved can elaborate further.

Kyle is right, I've been too busy working on the 4501 to have time to do an update.

Here are a few "visual updates" from today.

...and a few more.

Beautiful pictures, guys...but what's with the picture on the firebox? Incentive?

Something like that I guess...

So they remember what they're building. Wouldn't want to end up with a Garratt.

Steve

Fixed that for ya.

The 4518 is also another Ms class sister to 4501 that received a stoker, Worthington Feedwater Heater, and Sellers Injector. She does not carry a Princeton Shop sand dome like 4501 does. There is also one other major difference that we will not be able to duplicate during this restoration (not enough time. Hint: It's not the tender). I'll leave up to the eagle eye detectives out there to figure out what is is.

Cylinder protection valves?