Ideal springtime weather in Independence greeted over 20 volunteers who gathered in mid April to keep working on our #18 and boxcar #1C.
Locomotive work focused on completing the last couple tasks prior to its annual hydrostatic test. Marty, Scott, Jarred and the Carson Valley crew installed boiler washout plugs, lapped the main fountain valve and installed some valve rods that have had work done. Things are on track for the annual hydrostatic test and subsequent steam test in June. In addition to the locomotive work, the new boiler tubes were loaded in our storage boxcar for future use.
Boxcar #1C made some great progress as well. Not only was the second and final layer of roof installed but both side doors, and one end door were all put in place. Our next gathering should see the final installation of the end doors, final installation of exterior hardware, brake rods and beams installed, and the catwalk installation to start. All in all, we are starting down the home stretch towards completion!
In addition to the equipment work, Dave, Doug, Chris, Grant, trucker Pete his Mother, and a few others toiled away in Keeler loading our recent acquisitions, the Saltus Plymouth and dump car. These two pieces have been residences of Keeler since at least the early 1980’s and last operated in the salt flats east of Mojave. These two unique desert artifacts were placed on our short display track and will be evaluated in the coming months!
As always, our productivity and successes are due to your contributions and support! Thank you All and we look forward to seeing you on the 4th of July weekend!
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