Hmmm, interesting how it says engine 3254 running "okay." I thought I read on Spring of '09's newsletter that 3254 was getting a fresh coat of paint?

Either way all sounds well up in Scranton. Can't wait for railfest! :)

Progress! Just yesterday, the fireman's piston was inserted into the cylinder of Baldwin 26, and later in the day, the cylinder head was installed with some nuts already on the bolts. This is a view from this morning, Aug 19. Note the numbers for each nut, to tighten them in an even way throughout the circle.

Here is the engineer's side piston, installed today. The pistons were built up with weld and cut down to a circle in early 2005, IIRC. The cylinder is new material, installed in the cylinder saddle around Thanksgiving time, 2005. It was trammed to the right size a little while later.

The piston rod from the photo above. Compared to the preparation and measurement involved in getting the parts to fit together, the installation is easy.

On to other things, these are two of the six drive boxes for Baldwin 26's axles...

The shine comes from the machining done on the Bullard CutMaster, after weld build-up and heat treatment to each of the boxes.

On top is a worn out bearing, taken from the drive box shown above. The material underneath will be machined down to approximate this size before fitting in the drive boxes.

Not a great photo, but these are the shoes and wedges being crafted to hold the drive boxes in the underframe. Still more measurements to be taken on the center pins of the rods before all the parts get a final machining and installation, but it will result in a complete functional chassis in a few months.

Gents, I worked in the shop yesterday on some of the parts for 565 and the shop is a buzz with work on #26. They are milling the crossheads and journal boxes to their final dimensions. Brass is installed and finished. Also the front sheet is riveted in and they are cleaning up the rivet heads. Still lots of work to do but making very good progress. I think we can all agree this is going to be a "new" engine when she rolls out.

3254 is in the shop for her 5 year.
-work is going along and they are inspecting the staybolts right now. They pulled the boiler jacket by the fire box and things are going well.

26 is moving along. one crosshead is installed and dry pipe installation is underway. The tender trucks are nearing completion.

The vertical bore machine is being assembled and should be operational soon.

The car shop is busy with brake upgrades and lettering on the newly painted cars.

I was at Steamtown yesterday, 2/12/11 for the first time since Railcamp 1999, and took the shop tour while I was there. Some quick updates.

Yes, the 1361 is still there.


#3254 is having some staybolts removed, and some other stuff, as part of some maintenance they're doing.


#3713 is sitting there, waiting to be worked on, and according to the ranger, they're still looking for two contractors to work on the #3713, since the NPS hired the original two contractors as mechanics, to replace two who had left.

Yes, they're still working on #26. Her boiler and running wheels look very nice. Hopefully (not the official word from Steamtown) she'll be out later this fall (according to the Ranger who gave the tour).

According to the "thermometer", they are about $300,000 away from the original goal for #3713.

Since this original news post is almost a year old how about a new thread with the updated news?
Aren't most of the abestos abatement locomotive completed?
I think the new cranes are in place?
Current status of #26?

RWJ