Locomotive 463 Update

Locomotive 463 Update

Recently completed work at Historic Machinery Services includes design fabrication and installation of five new throat sheet braces, fit the air compressor bracket and install new spacers to the bracket, install front tube sheet, flange out and drill rivet holes. They have also reamed and tapped 32 staybolt holes plus cut and install staybolts. Cleaned flexi sleeves, prime sleeve area and new caps plus install the caps. Bob Yuill anticipates that his shop will be able to deliver the boiler in mid-August. Originally we had discussed the boiler coming back during the month of June but due to the delay on the running gear portion of the project, we agreed that a delivery date in August will not cause any problems. Mr. Yuill has done an excellent job of communicating about the project and we remain very impressed with his operation.

To date we have expended $257,116 in funds on the 463 project. The total grant funds raised as you recall was $660,000.

For us to move the running gear portion of the project forward, we will be engaging Soni Honegger to work on the running gear at his shop in Chama. The running gear will be moved over to Soni’s shop sometime the week of June 28th. At the same time, we will ask Marty Knox to assist as a technical advisor to the project. Mr. Knox has a wealth of knowledge from the years he was Chief Mechanical Officer at the Huckleberry Railroad in Lower Michigan where he oversaw rebuild of K27 #464. We look for Soni and Marty to form a sound team that will work to complete this project.