Roving reporter update: July 4th Holiday weekend.
Prior to chasing (and riding) R&N #425, I detoured slightly West to
catch up on Railway Restoration Project 113. The first set of photos
are from July 3rd and mark another milestone for the group - Bob
Kimmel, Jr and crew are seen hard at work preparing to remove the
scaffolding. I learned this day that the cab was on it's way over from
another location to be secured to the boiler and that necessitated a
second trip back on Monday, the 5th, for yet another milestone in this
eagerly anticipated restoration of CNJ 0-6-0 #113, one of only two
surviving CNJ steam engines. The other is CNJ #592 at the B&O RR Museum.
Below is a list kindly provided by Bernie Perch detailing only some of the
work performed to date:
Front tube sheet replaced.
1/3 of firebox side sheets replaced.
All of firebox door sheet replaced.
900+ flexible staybolts replaced and caps
Several hundred appliance studs replaced.
New steam fountain.
Some new plumbing to injectors.
New washout plugs and appliance holders--new patterns.
New parts for check valves--new patterns.
New crosshead oilers--new patterns.
New builders and number plates and others--new patterns.
Two types of new grates--new patterns.
All sorts of parts had to be scrounged: throttle arm assembly, power reverse, bell, cylinder cocks, injectors, reverse quadrant, air compressor, headlights (one original), original number plate.
60% of cab is new. Still needs to be sand blasted and painted.
Tender tank is completely new.
New tender leaf springs, patterns made for spring clips.
New tender steps--new patterns.
New interior boiler braces.
New mud ring rivets.
New stack and base--new pattern--lost styrofoam.
Many patterns made for small gasket rings, etc.
New pins for locomotive and tender draw bars.
New CNJ style three chime step top whistle bell. Whistle bowl from Western Locomotive Supply.
Partial list of work yet to be completed:
Finish work on throttle.
Finish installing superheaters.
Install smokebox nozzle and screens.
Much plumbing.
Install insulation and boiler jacket.
Install valve spools.
Install main rods and some valve gear rods.
Install air compressor.
Install lots of small accessories.
As you can see, restoring this (big) small engine has
been no small task!
Many thanks to the crew for allowing us access
to the site along with a generous helping of
kindness in sharing the details of the restoration.
Donations are most welcome and can be sent to:
Railway Restoration Project 113
113 East Sunbury Street
Minersville, PA 17954
Stay tuned!
/Mitch