...a bit more info.

This project started on Thursday and was intended to be done that day, but the wind came up in the afternoon, so the heating process was postponed until Friday morning. On Friday, both #1 and #3 tires were re-set, track restored, running gear re-assembled and we had a fire going by 230pm. Steam up by 600pm.

Some fan came by on Thursday afternoon and saw 1744 in the "2-3-0" state and said, "......well I guess I came all this way for nothing, you guys aren't going to run this weekend are you". We told him that unless something else totally unrelated to what we were doing happened we would be ready Friday afternoon. I don't think he believed us. He came back Friday afternoon as we were headed out to the wye and was amazed. We told him "told you so..."

1744 performed very well for a 106 year old used car. It did everything we asked of it - and more. It's a tough old engine, it digs in and pulls - assuming the section hasn't greased the hill. Even in the rain and snow on the last day, she knuckled down and got us up the hill and home.

We only missed one operating day - the second day of the season.