DRGW #278

All,

The #278 achieved some firsts this past weekend. We are posting this as a accommodation to those who are speculating on her future. She went over Cerro for the first time in many many years. She has reached a speed of 60 mph which is definitely a first. We finished unloading the tender about noon today and the engine yesterday morning.

The engine will be taken apart over the next three to four weeks so soon there will not be a lot to see but parts. Anyone wishing to see the locomotive is welcome but there are some stipulations. Please tell everyone not involved with the forum and those that are reading it that we need a appointment for viewing the engine. I will do my best to accommodate people wanting to see the engine but keep in mind we are a real business trying to meet a deadline and bid for this job. Please consider only normal business hours. Make contact with us for a appointment via the private message feature of the forum. You are more than welcome to view this historic engine with prior notice. While I know all steam enthusiasts are polite and proper people we have had a few who make it really bad for the rest. We will treat visitors in the manner they treat us.

The engine is to at least have its cab replaced, jacket, beams, much if not all of the tender wood, cab floors, patches on the tender and a complete cosmetic overhaul at the least. Any journal work necessary will be done to assure rolling the engine in the future is not a issue.
Some of the old girl still looks pretty good and some aspects of the engine are pretty sorry. We will know more in a few weeks. On our own dime we are going to UT the boiler and inspect other aspects of the engine so determine what time has wrought on the old girl.

There will be a very complete photographic record of the project. I am guessing right now but probably in the vicinity of 2000 pictures. For modelers and scale live steamers we will make disks available of these pictures for a nominal charge to cover the office time making them.

This is good news for the #278 and we applaud the NPS for their decision to undertake this project.