They sure have gotten a lot done, it goes to show you that if you plug away at something for a decade you can did a lot done.

Any time frame on at least a hydro on her yet?

The boiler was filled to the dome with water for the first time today (not counting the first boiler wash) to determine any leaks. It was not put under pressure and there were a number of leaks under the unpressured head of water which need to be addressed. It was nothing serious and what could be considered normal for the first fill.

Bernie Perch

Thanks for the updates Ed and Bernie. I'm keepin' my fingers crossed for that engine...glad to hear she's doing well.
Gonna be great to see her run whenever she does...we've been waiting this long right?

Thats a heck of an enginehouse they have there! Kind of reminds me of the stories I've read of restoring the 1225 on campus inside a chain link fence.

Is there a good website where I can read more about this locomotive?

It is extremely DIFFICULT and SLOW working under those conditions. It is almost entirely affected by the weather and many months of the year nothing gets done at all outside. If we had a shop, this locomotive would have been running years ago. The conditions at the site are at best described as primitive.

A web site was started and I just visited it and nothing has been done except the home page and there is nothing of value there either.

Bernie Perch

Hi Bernie. I concur with everyone else as to how great the #113 looks. You guys are doing a great job, thanks for your efforts! How come you guys can't build a shed or put up a pole barn to house the locomotive? Is it just a cost issue, or is the county particularly unhelpful, etc.? I'm sure you or someone else mentioned the reason, I guess I just missed it and am curious. Thanks in advance for the info. God bless. Seth

Seth,

To be charitable and without too much complaining, when the effort to acquire a piece of town land across the street was attempted, absolutely no one was cooperative--the town, the neighbors, no one! To say that they were downright hostile would be an understatement! The locomotive is sitting on leased land, and it is hemmed in by the station. There are several issues with even putting up a temporary pole building here--again, there was no cooperation here either. I'm surprised somebody didn't complain about the current shop tent.

Bernie Perch

Sure looks better than it did down at the Wilmington & Western.

Great Work you guys have done, in very unpleasant conditions.

Will be great to see that beast pulling cars around again.

Another hydro test today. After rolling a few tubes, just tiny drips here and there. The boiler is now 3/4+ full and holding.

Bernie Perch

One of those occasional, inspiring, stories of a few guys who decide they can do it, and go ahead and "do it". Yes, it involves money, but mainly determination and guts. Finally, the Jersey Central gets some live steaming respect. Terrific work, guys. And thanks!

Is it just me, or does she look like she is leaning towards her left side in the engineers side picture? Could it be that the brown tarp is crooked rather than her?

Awesome, Bernie...thanks for posting the news!!

Stephen