Re: Status of Engine 168 repairs, an update and likely completion date?

We have a contractor coming to the railroad in January to help with the assessment of the cracked cylinder saddle. In our initial discussions we think we can repair it using the Lock-n-Stitch method without removing the boiler from the frame. We will not operate the 168 until this issue is resolved. Once we identified the cracked cylinder saddle we stopped operating the locomotive. If the repair can be completed without removal of the boiler from the frame, expect to see the 168 operational next summer.

Jeff Taylor helped us with grates for 168. We have had these on hand for quite some time. We will be casting additional grates as well. The 168 used finger grates while several of the other small operational locomotive use rosebud grates. Jeff and I have discussed why did engines of the similar classes have different styles of grates installed by the D&RGW, The large C&TS engines all use the rosebud grates today. The 20, 346, 315 all have rosebud grates. The 168, and, I have been told, the 169 and 278 still have finger grates.

The rosebud grates used in the small locomotives have a slightly smaller airflow area when compared to the finger grates but the rosebud grates have more airflow area than the recommended practices for locomotive drafting I have reviewed.

Scott Gibbs