Re: NNG-Why did 1744's stint in service end so abruptly?

The thimbles in the staybolt holes, and then extra large staybolt heads was an SP idea to get the engines through the last few years until they could all be scrapped. I used to go through Birmingham between 4-6 times a year, and once or twice a year I would stop in Steele to see Bob and his shop. It was always a huge learning experience for me and Bob always made time to educate me on what he was seeing and doing (which was not hard, since I knew absolutely nothing when I visited there the first time). I remember him showing me the "thimbles" on the boiler of SP 786 which was in his shop the first time that I went there, and his absolute frustration with the condition of the 1744's boiler and the huge numbers of the "thimbles" in its firebox. The last time that I visited, they were working away on it with a vengeance, but it was not much longer until he was forced to retire. What ever he did was always first class, so the boys in California have a great base upon which to build.