Re: RGS #20 Update

Percentage complete is relative to the basis. In terms of volume of parts done, we are probably 75 to 80% done. In terms of work to do, we are more like 55 to 60%. Finishing off a project like this where we are attempting to salvage as much of the original as possible for historical (some would say hysterical) reasons, takes a lot of time. Cleaning, testing, measuring, evaluating, and repairing is usually more time consuming than outright replacement, especially for little stuff.

For instance those header valves would have cost about $1500 to $2000 apiece if we would have charged for the labor and materials both. With my volunteer labor, they cost about $150 each, which is still more than a new globe valve would have cost. Of course the new valve would not look anything like the original.

When you consider something like a side rod, the cost of the raw material is much higher compared to the time needed to evaluate and repair, so saving the original rod could end up being less expensive. New rods would be far stronger, but we are not building this to take tonnage trains up Dallas Divide.

Finishing of the locomotive with the jewelry can be very time consuming which is why we hope to be able to coordinate a volunteer program with the CRRM to help cut some of those costs. Cosmetics, painting, sanding, polishing, cleaning, adjusting is the last 10 to 20% of the labor piece.

That is my best guess. The project could easily be complete in a year if funding was assured.