Fall Work Session 2017

For some of us, we are well into our 10th year of restoration . Nobody said it would be easy, or quick.

The "fall" work session, actually held in the last days of summer, was lightly attended, however a great deal was accomplished.

Roger Stabler, Steve Lee, Bob Sims, Charlie Spikes, Erin Swain, David Elems, Michael Giarritta, Kirk Baer, Dick Coudin, new volunteer Gary, and Ed Chase made up our brave crew. Components addressed included the throttle rod, throttle valve, footboards, as well as application of various appliances.  The engine is starting to look more complete all the time. I spent what little time I had permanently attaching the WP medallions to the sides of the tender tank, as well as the number plates under the cab windows.

The backhead now sports brake and feed valves applied by Roger.

Roger working on the generator mount. The generator can be seen hanging from the air hoist.

Roger and Erin made great strides on prepping the tube sheets, and Michael finished tightening down the last of the staybolt caps, which was a watershed moment!

The biggest effort of the week was getting the tender's oil tank moved to outside the west shop door so it can be cleaned up prior to painting.  Once it is black again it will be set into place using our 200 ton derrick. That may be a bit of overkill, but it works.

The locomotive looking better with a few of the appliances bolted on.

A fair amount needs to be accomplished before the hydrostatic test in the spring of next year, not the least of which includes rolling in the tubes and flues, but Roger is confident that it will get done.

Never slowing down, Roger spent a couple of weeks during the summer plumbing up the air brakes, which work like a champ. The tender brake cylinder needs reassembly, but that won't take long once the gaskets are made.

Restored front Pyle-National headlight.

Don't forget our "Light the Fire" fundraiser dinner is coming up in the spring of next year, please consider coming up and helping with this "last push" to get 165 out the door!

Thanks again for all your support, both moral and financial. Thanks also to Bob Sims for the photos used in this post. We hope to have this significant piece of Western Pacific history, which belongs to all of us, steaming again soon! -JCA

Rear footboards as applied by Bob Sims can be seen behind the crossing flashers, which are not part of the locomotive.