Re: RGS #20 frame

That's not quite correct, either. Only the original boiler will be retained as an historic artifact. The new casting will mate the forward frame to the rear frame. This will relieve the firebox of the buff and draft forces to which it was subjected by the original design. The forward frame was bolted to the front of the firebox and the rear frame was attached to the rear. Portland Co. recognized this error after no. 9 was completed, and the next engine they built (their last) incorporated the arrangement being used on this rebuild. Subsequently, the Portland Co. engineer who designed the fix went to work for Baldwin and his modifications were included in BLW Forneys built later on.

Incidentally, this coming weekend, April 24-26, is the WW&F's annual Spring Track Meet. We plan to ballast and surface the 1100 feet of track we laid last fall. In addition, people will be painting the addition to the shop, and there are plenty of other projects under way. Come visit.