Just got off the phone with the owner of the Polson #2 to get the skinny on the progress made the last couple of weeks. Hopefully I won't lose to much in my translation.

The side sheets are welded and rivited. They put in 60+ rivits in this last Sat. Along with the obvious welding of the seams and riviting, there were a couple hundred bushings put in the staybolt holes that had to be welding in place as well. Can't remember for sure but I think there is about 300+ stays to be replaced, not exactly sure of the total amount. The reaming of holes has been done, next tap the holes. The next progect is to fit the belly patch in, the original section has been removed with about another 60+ rivits. Once the fitting is complete it will go next door for stress relieving. Then the throat sheet too can be fitted and stress relieved. Both the belly patch and the throat sheet are already formed.

Gary Bensman of Steam Services is pretty much the project manager on the boiler, at least in the shop.

It is great to see parts going back on finally. There is more work planned in the very near future, hopefully by the end of the year most of the large pieces will be in place. Obviously there is not a completion date set, but the work is being done right and it is getting done. There are many small pieces to the puzzle before the big pieces get to be put back on. But for me it is good for morale when large pieces go back on.

Cheers, John.

Is this one of the engines at Mid-Continent?

Yes it is a Mid Contintent engine, a logging 2-8-2, almost identicle to the Rainior #70. Same design but about 10 years older. It is privately owned and leased to Mid Contintent. The owner with some help from Milwaukee Boiler, Steam Services and friends are involved in this effort. Mid Contintent itself is working on the Western Coal & Coken #1 {4-6-0} at this same time. There was quite a bit of work done earlier to the cylnders which were bored out, Driving boxes removed, one brass replaced, rods ground and industrial chromed, pistons built up/remachined, rear pony truck rebuilt/reprofiled, ect, ect. Most of the running gear is back together now. There is a plan to install a new burner too, built on some of the Porta experiments. Similar to what the Grand Canyon is doing. With the repairs and new burner it is hoped to increase the efficency of this loco as it was a fuel hog before. Hope this helps, John.

Good to hear things are coming along with the #2 John. Pass along to Skip(as I am sure Gary already has) that the burner alone will not see much in the way of increased ecobomy, she needs a porta front end.........And one small correction, Gary's company is Diversified Rail Services and Steam Operations Corporation (Scott Lindsay's company) has been involved with the engineering..........just so everyone knows whos who.

Cheers...Jason

Thanks for the correction Jason. I thought that might be wrong, but couldn't find the right company anywhere. I thought they were listed on the links page, but that isn't up right now. Sorry for the misrepresentation folks. I actually looked as I had been to Diversified Rail Services web site before, just couldn't remember the correct name. Guess I should put them on my favorites list so I know how to find them. And I guess Skip would know about the front end modification too. We probably have talked about it at some time. I saw the burner so that is why I mentioned it.

So.......how are things in AZ? I am out of circulation for a while. I started nursing school and I am busy. Hope to help out on the boiler work in December between semesters. I envy YOUR continueing education. Behave, John.

Behave? As though I wouldn't......I don't care what stories you may have heard from Bloom;) Tell the pres I say hi the next time you have a chance. I would be interested in seeing a photo of the burner you speak of.....