Greetings:
Several people have asked "what work does No. 97 need"?
Briefly:
1472 Service Day Inspection
Renew crown sheet and top half of door sheet
Renew about 100 side sheet staybolts
Install rear corner patches in the firebox
Renew smokebox, smokebox front and door
Tram frame, straighten as needed (read: if possible)
Layout and renew shoes & wedges
Refit frame pedistal binders
Renew valve cages and rings
Renew cylinder liners and rings
Renew all driving axels
Quarter crank pin holes
Reprofile driving wheel tires
Renew and/or rebore crown brasses
Renew all crank pins
Rebore rod bearings, convert to oil lubrication
Rebuild valve gear, set valves
Rebuild spring rigging and brake rigging
General repairs to appurtenances
Rebuild tender trucks
Reprofile tender wheels
General repairs to tender cistern
We'll probably find more items that need attention if/as we get into the project...
Some insight into our early inspection work can be found on "The Enginehouse Blog" of March 18, 2012 at http://www.essexsteamtrain.com
Be well,
J.David

Thanks for the update. Please keep us posted!

Thank you!

I kept hearing it needed work but didn't know the extent. Sounds more of a long term project if it happens, if not, or if it's several years off it will make a good display piece for now.

Thank you for the information, J. David. That sounds like a lot of work! The 97 is a lovely engine and I hope to see her back in steam someday.

Ready next week???

:-)