A bit off topic but.....UP844, hot, again!

I posted the following on trainorders.com, and figured it might be of interest here since Dan Ranger is an icon of the Chama steam scene. Repairs to the 844 included not only work by Dan, but also his son David and grandson Daniel. How often these days do you get three generations of railroaders working together, especially with Dad living in Chama....which is also happens to be where the magazine is published.
This month's "Trainline' magazine, the journal of the Tourist Railway Association, had an interesting article about the repairs to the 844. This involved some major reconstruction of the firebox and boiler. Work included, quoting from the article: "new firebox and combustion chamber, front and rear flue sheets, back head sheet replacement (from below the firedoor to the mud ring), lower portion of the throat sheet, part of the roof sheet, replacement of all ridged and flexible stay bolts (this included cleaning, inspection and/or replacement of all 2,400 flexible stay bolt sleeves and caps, which included special tooling not seen in over 60 years). All ridged stay holes were reconditioned, (and) all front and rear sheet braces and some belly rivets (were replaced)." What these words can't do justice to are the pictures of some pretty big pieces of handsomely shaped new steel being lifted into place and welded/riveted/bolted. I also enjoyed the picture of the crew posed in Steve Lee's "rec room"....the 844's firebox. The contractor for this work was Matt Austin of Hawaain Steam Engineering of Honolulu. And involved were three generations of Rangers: father Dan, son David, and grandson Daniel. Good reading for those who can find a copy. And thanks to UP for supporting this kind of effort.
John West