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With all of the recent discussion of UP618 (featured prominently on tonight's Amazing Race, I might add!) here on RyPN--it must be mentioned that her days are numbered. Mike Manwiller and the shop crew are now pushing GW75 to the front of the jobs list. One major step accomplished about a month ago was shortening the smokebox (ala GW90) back to the "as built by Baldwin" length.I leave the balance of the description of GW75's status to those that are more knowledgable.sc 'doc' lewis

What are the problems with #618?Tom von Trott

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If I remember correctly, they went ahead and did the running gear on 75 while they had her in the shop.And Mike mentioned that he's planning to replace the tender tank.JAC

No need to worry, there is not anything terriable wrong with 618. U.P. 618 days are only "number" in that she is nearing the end of her 1472 service days. After the current 1472 service days are consumed, the locomotive must go through a 1472 service inspection, per CFR part 230. I can assure you that 618's life here on the Heber Valley RR will be long lived. As long as Heber Valley RR is operating, 618 will be part of the team. As far as #75 goes, she is going through an extensive 1472 inspection. In addition the the boiler work, she is getting a brand new Tender. The cab is having more than half the steel replaced, only a little more than just the roof will be orginal (if you want to consider the cab as orginal - the current cab was built 100% new in the 1940's). The running gear is having some heavy attension as well. Boxes, crown brasses, journals, spring rigging pins and bushings, lead truck journals, new liner in bottom of smokebox, smokebox front door ring, and yes - we did cut the forward 18 inches off the smokebox, new tender wheels, completely new air brake system...the list goes on. We would like to have the locomotive out running sometime in later 2006. The date is not cast in stone, you cannot ever predict what other "hot projects" may fall into your lap that need attention. As "Doc" Lewis stated, 75 is on the front burner in the shop and all time that is allowed is being put forth into #75.I hope this helps answer some questions.Michael ManwillerCheif Mechanical OfficerHeber Valley Railroad

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Here's a 1935 Otto Perry photo of the 75 with the pre-lignite smokebox:http://photoswest.org/cgi-bin/imager?00012095+OP-12095

Mr. Manwiller,You said #75 is getting new brake equipment? Does that mean conversion to a modern 26L type system or just having her original brake equipment replaced with a set which has been overhauled?Regards,Trevor H.

The new brake system will be a 6ET. Te old system was a G-6 automatic with a strait air valve for the independant. Here at Heber we have enough spare parts to build a complete new 6ET system. While a 26L is nice and easy to work with. The 6ET will work just fine for this operation. The rest of the equipment here is currently so equiped. By standardizing what is already here and using what already exists on the shelf, there is no need to carry additional items that are only unigue to one piece of equipment.