Sorry for the silence on #20. Our shop is very busy right now and with the holidays, I haven't been on the computer much.

The boiler is perking right along. Most of the staybolts have been machined. All the braces are in, the drypipe is installed and the firebox will be installed permanently starting this week. Flues will not be installed until we know that we are within a year of completion of the locomotive.

The tender tank is in the shop and the bottom extension has been removed. The upper original tank is in fairly decent shape and will be saved. The stainless steel is on site and ready to be used to fabricate the bottom section. The bent frame has been straightened and the front body bolster center plate will be reworked along with the truck center plate. The front truck is disassembled and inspected.

The frame cross tie between 2 and 3 axle is in place and the rocker boxes have been repaired and installed, awaiting final reaming for taper bolts.

Because of other time sensitive projects in the shop, I cannot predict what we will accomplish this year, however I expect that we will continue to make steady progress.