Here are some of the pics from yesterday's event...


http://nmslrhs.org/images/photos/9-8-07%20tender%20lift/index.html


Enjoy.

Very nice to see the trucks go back together with the tender. I am curious as to the purpose for the wooden pegs standing in for center pins...

They were used as an alignment tool. The ends were carved down a bit to help line everything up. They are easily removed from the bottom of the trucks.

Makes sense, so then what is the arangment of the centerpin(locking, etc) and how does it get in the way of putting trucks back under the tender?

It has a locking bolster pin. If I remember correctly, it has a two half wedges that the bolster pin runs through. The bolster pin rotates 90* to lock it in. It wasn't in the way. It is a separate unit that attaches through the bottom of the bolster casting on the trucks. It's only difficulty is now obtaining the required contortionist position under the four axles for each truck and muscling it in place without a pit.

The wood pin was similar to a clutch alignment tool used on an automobile.

Thank you very much. I could not remember the exact design but something told me it was a locking type.

Great to see it going back together, couple questions... How is the Rust Bullet treatment holding up, would you recommend it? Secondly it looks like you started asbestos abatement (or just partial jacket removal?) but stopped, are the exposed fibers sealed with a bonding agent?

I would absolutely recommend the Rust Bullet.

The latest on ATSF 2926:

http://www.nmslrhs.org/pages/status.html

http://www.nmslrhs.org/pages/status.html

The ATSF 2926 project will be part of New Mexico's statehood admission centennial in 2012.

Sloan

Wow, now that sounds like an interesting project. Hopefully with the state's backing BNSF and UP will play ball. There's good PR value in it for them.

OK, everybody would love to see a (another) Santa Fe 4-8-4 run again.

But for that matter, there's the obvious question. Once its going, then what?

Has the 3751 been overbooked?

Is there something about NM politics thats different than everywhere else, that is-after the politicians show up up with enormous novelty checks, in time for the big celebration-will they be as eager to fund the first 1472 day?

Is there a standing agreement to run the engine by a road with 130 plus pound rail?

Since the state now owns the Raton Pass line from Albuquerque to the CO state line I would think they could run it there - it's not like there is heavy (any?) traffic on this line to worry about.

Amtrak runs a passenger train (Southwest Chief) each way every day on this line. I also think that there might be a local freight, but not sure how often that runs.

Les