Re: NNG: Texas State Railroad

300 is in the middle of it's 5-year FRA inspection. It also getting some long needed running gear work - including changing some side rod knuckle pins that date from WWII (no wonder they were worn out). She will also get her lead truck worked on as it has been messed up for years also.

Lastly, when she comes out of the shop she will be "Tremont & Gulf #28" and painted BLACK with a graphite smokebox and aluminum lettering.

316 has some serious boiler issues caused by design flaws in her less than 10 year old boiler. The firebox is built out of steel which is too thick and combined with staybolt material that is much stronger than needed (in other words, the stays won't bend), the firebox is trying to tear itself apart. We do have a plan of attack for it's interim repair, but it is waiting for T&G 28 to get out the door first.

Meanwhile, Magma 7 rocks on....