The good news from NSRM is that we have successfully navigated the grant writing process and are in receipt of sufficient funds to complete the Glenbrook, an 1875 Baldwin narrow gauge 2-6-0. This come at a good time given the general financial situation of museums in general.
As some of you may know the Glenbrook project began in 1983 and has started and stopped several times during the last 27 years. With a dearth of funds for other projects we can work unhindered on this project.
The boiler is on the shop floor. We have un-stitched it about as far as one can and still have it remind you of a boiler. The steam dome is off, the barrel is off at the throat sheet, and the rear tube sheet is out. The wrapper has received a new liner. It is riveted in and the dome is ready to be re-installed. We have new sheets rolled for the barrel and the new rear tube sheet is on the form and partially flanged. The transition course will require flanging also.
Meanwhile we have disassembled the pistons and are preparing to put in new hard- chrome plated rods. We have just received a donation of a universal cylindrical grinder and re-worked the heat treat furnace. This will allow us to machine, harden, and grind new valve linkage pins and knuckle pins. We have welded up, normalized, and machined a new steam dome lid (the original is cast iron and in poor condition). While the boiler is going together the cab, pilot, jacket and sundries will be in process.
The tender was completed several years ago as was the frame and wheels.
While the Glenbrook is only several builders’ numbers off of Markoff’s Eureka, it isn’t the blistering beautiful piece that his is. This was a bare bones work engine. The contrast will be interesting.
We are proceeding with the intention of returning the locomotive to full operating condition. We have allowed four years to complete the project but hope to complete it sooner.
There will be follow-ups to this missive as the project proceeds.
C.C. De Witt
NSRM
