RGS 20

We finished riveting the dome flange, doubler, and backhead brace shell feet. The majority of staybolt holes needing welded are finished. The mudring is being prepped for riveting once the firebox is in. Except for the front flue sheet, the shell is basically complete. The rear braces will be fit and installed permanently except for a few in the center to allow access to cover weld the crown sheet butt weld. Once the braces are installed, the firebox goes in.

Erich has finished the heavy machining on the new frame sections and has only to drill some holes before we are ready to fit the new sections in place.

Next week I will work on on of the cracked spokes to establish a repair procedure. Once established we will repair the rest of the wheels.

We will replace two axles that are undersize and with some questionable UT readings. #3 is OK.

John machined the R1 driving box and it came out well.




Mudring rivet holes reamed for countersunk rivets


Machined frames


R1 driving box




Old 1 and 2 axles. Note undersize of journals

#346 tender tank is complete and ready to go west. This was quite a job but it came out pretty nice. All stainless steel will ensure that the museum won't have to have a fundraising campaign in 20 years to repair or replace it. The bottom covers the entire frame so water in the coal space won't seep into the wood and rot it out like it did on the original. Hardware is original.