Rio Grande 223

News from the 223 Project

I have just finished a inspection of 223 Pictures from 1941 to Present, and have discovered several interesting Details

1-The Left Main Rod on the 223 is bent to the point that it will not allow the Locomotive to move

2-The damaged has been atributed to latter years Locomotive Movers, but is not true.

3-The Left Main Rod was bent when it arrived in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park, and was placed on the short section olf narrow gauge track using a Carman's/Track extednded head Hand jack placed under the Mid-point of the Main Rod.
The flat spot is there under on the bottom side of the Main Rod.

4-The short section of track never had any visible wheel stops, and it did slope to the West quite visibly.

The Tender is nearing completion with the counting down of the placement of the final 1000 Hot Rivets underway and the fabrication of the Tender Tank Filler Pipe---what a project!!!!

Stephen Smith
Ogden, Utah