Re: 489

489 is currently in the shop for a 31 service day inspection. She is also our test subject for a grease to oil conversion of the main driver journals.

This past winter we converted the #1 driver to oil cellars using Armstrong Oilers manufactured by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in the UK. We also completed the necessary modification on the other driving boxes to allow conversion of those at a later date. We have done some extra testing and monitored crown brass temperatures and oil consumption carefully during 489's operations thus far and are very happy with the results. Crown brass temperatures are running in the 80 to 110 degree range, depending on ambient temperature, compared to 150 to 200+ degrees routinely seen with grease lubrication.

Last week we began the process of converting the remainder of the cellars and plan to complete this during the downtime for the inspection. Afterwards, we will make at least one Cumbres turn as a test run before "throwing her to the wolves" in the regular rotation again.

Other tourist railroads and museums have made similar conversions on their locomotives with good results. However, few, if any of them, routinely subject their power to the severity of service and the mileage that we do on the C&TS, so we have proceeded cautiously in an effort to get it right for our particular operation. Current plans are that 488 will come out of its 1472 with this conversion and the other locomotives will be done in time as well.

We anticipate this will save us considerable money and man hours over the long run. Topping up the oil level during daily servicing is quick and easy compared to the process of dropping binders and repacking grease cellars.

Russ