Today we gave the 113 a real hydro test. We brought her up to 250 lbs water pressure. There is one minor issue to be addressed. It felt good looking at that gauge.

Bernie Perch

Awesome, Bernie -- thanks for the news! Grab a picture of the gauge by any chance? :)

Stephen

I recently saw a photo of one of her sister 0-6-0's in service. THis has to be some of the best steam news to come along in 2009. What a great way to celebrate teh enduring and unforgettable Jersey Central.

Stephen,

No, I didn't take my camera. I will try to remember next time, but the image is burned into my mind. During that period of time I was yelling the readings to Bob, over the noise of the compressor, who was operating the pump. Before the test, I spent quite a bit of time tightening the dome lid nuts with a new gasket. Each time I completed a rotation, the gasket squished a little more and the nuts were looser the next time around.

Even though I have been around steam a long time, I still enjoy doing the various tasks necessary to keep them running however primitive the conditions are at Minersville. In reality there is nothing "romantic" about keeping these things going. It is alot of hard work no matter how you cut it.

Bernie Perch

In the immortal words "Aw it'll take up when it gets hot".

This could be a check off my "bucket list".

I remember stopping by the Minersville Station 10-12 years ago to check out the 113, and leaving quite confident that this was a ridiculous pipe dream (there was no one on the property to talk to that day, I just walked around the engine a bit and left.) I've never been happier to be proven wrong!