T&NO 786

Frisco1522 · **Posted:** Thu Aug 05, 2010 11:46 pm

I haven't heard anything about this project for ages and the website hasn't had any updates for a long time.
Anybody know how it's coming along? It was a monsterous rebuild!

Txhighballer · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am **Posts:** 773

From what I have heard,there are concerns withthe new cylinder saddle..another one might have to be made.

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Fri Aug 06, 2010 7:03 pm

They are in the process of putting it back together. The boiler was sent to Dixon Boiler to be overhauled while the engine was apart; the replacement saddle/cylinder is ready to be fitted on the engine. I think they plan to have it running for the 2011 season.

JG290 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 07, 2010 2:49 pm

survivingworldsteam wrote:

They are in the process of putting it back together. The boiler was sent to Dixon Boiler to be overhauled while the engine was apart; the replacement saddle/cylinder is ready to be fitted on the engine. I think they plan to have it running for the 2011 season.

This is incorrect, the boiler was sent to Historic Machinery Services in Steele, AL. The Boiler work is done and has been hydroed already and is in Muscle Shoals, AL where it awaits to be reunited with the frame and the new cylinder saddle.

Jason Greene

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Sat Aug 07, 2010 3:23 pm

JG290 wrote:

survivingworldsteam wrote:

They are in the process of putting it back together. The boiler was sent to Dixon Boiler to be overhauled while the engine was apart; the replacement saddle/cylinder is ready to be fitted on the engine. I think they plan to have it running for the 2011 season.

This is incorrect, the boiler was sent to Historic Machinery Services in Steele, AL. The Boiler work is done and has been hydroed already and is in Muscle Shoals, AL where it awaits to be reunited with the frame and the new cylinder saddle.

Jason Greene

Jason;

Thank you sir, for setting me straight. I asked someone else with the ASTA for an update, and this is what he sent me; it elaborates on your correction:

Quote:

Here's some more info on the status of 786. Feel free to post it (I'm not a member of RPN). The boiler is currently completed & hydro tested. It's waiting to be shipped to Muscle Shoals, where it will be mounted on the cylinders & frame. The boiler was restored by Historic Machinery (Bob Yuill) in Steele, AL. Work on the cylinders is still progressing, although at a slower rate, partly due to funding considerations. The cost of the restoration has far exceeded everyone's estimates. The rumor of a new saddle casting is not true. Right now (Summer, 2010), we are working on getting some grants & donations to accelerate the restoration work. So, our current available funds are focused on the completion of the cylinder saddle & mounting it on the frame, while some of the other projects wait. For a lot of unrelated reasons (work schedules, vacations, machine availability, tech issues) work has been visually uninteresting for the past several months. Donations & leads to sources of grant money are greatly appreciated. When completed, the 786 restoration will be one of the most extensive/expensive in recent history. It will be virtually a new locomotive. We're all looking forward to being able to operate 786! In the meantime, the Austin Steam Train Association is having record levels of ridership & always looking for volunteers for both on-board service & operating crew. We recently acquired 2 air conditioned coach cars & put them in service & have just taken delivery of a third car that is being readied for service. You can read more about all that on the ASTA web site.

Txhighballer · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 10:49 am **Posts:** 773

This past week I talked to someone who is very familiar with the 786,and there is indeed an issue with the saddle. ASTA was the recipient of two substantial grants last year which at the time said would allow the locomotive to be finished. With this new issue,it seems like they need more money to address the saddle. She will not run this year.