Southern Pacific #18 – October and November 2025

Late October contained picture perfect weather in the Owens Valley as we gathered to work on #18 and boxcar #1C. The perfect weather also allowed for a little Right of Way exploration!

East side of Mt. Montgomery

Work on #18 consisted of lapping and machining of the main fountain valve, constructing a couple new washout plugs, and constructing new tank leg plumbing. Meanwhile on track 1, work was pushing ahead on the boxcar in the form of putting up siding. Thanks to Bob, Jon, Beverly, Scott, and Randy all remaining siding was put up, trimmed to finish size, and hand nailed into place! By rough count, that’s over 1200 nails that were hand driven. Why hand nail this siding you ask? Simple, because the car is being held to Department of Interior restoration standards which means work and materials are done in-kind to what the original had.

We look forward to the next gathering later this year. Please consider a tax deductible, end of year donation. And a big THANK YOU for your ongoing support and donations. Its your support that allows us to achieve what we do!

Weather over the Sierra’s near Kearsarge Station