Re: 489 still my favorite C&TS locomotive

Tomstp Wrote:
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> From a cylinder valve timing standpoint the 489
> was the best engine of the K-36 fleet until Russ
> started finding out what was wrong with the others
> and started correcting them.

In my opinion Russ Fisher and Mike Thode have helped lead the way in improving the valve timing as well as the overall condition of the engines. I have NEVER heard 487 run square, but now she is, and not only that the overall conditions of ALL of the engines are to a much better condition of readiness than they have been in decades. The 84 is the last engine to get it's valve timing gone through this winter, and with Duck, Tommy, and Avery are our A team in Chama. That in addition what Marvin and the guys are doing in Antonito have really made a huge difference.