Good crew today.
Paul V.S. and Leverett ground down a flat space in the tender drawbar pin slugs, then the two of them attacked it with a drill bit extension (custom built by Bob D.) and the magnetic drill. They managed to get a hole cut in the pin and this will allow Leverett to burn out the slugs using an acetylene torch. With that burned out, the contracted welder from Lincoln (Ramsey) is going to round out and repair the worn tender pin hole and fix some minor touches on the frame. They are also supplying a new pin.
Alex Fogg primed one complete side of the #1 truck.
Bill has bolted down the boards to the tender frame. I painted the angle bars which fit on the boards today, after Bill did one side and Hanna had primed them a week ago.
Jim Armstrong painted the equalizer bars and spring caps. Aldin and I primed the side stoker door and two others, as well as the brake tank. Leverett and I gave two tours of the shop.
After lunch, Leverett got started on brazing the pedestals of the #1 truck.
With what has been accomplished to date, we are very close to reassembling the #1 truck, possibly next weekend. Any remaining black paint can be applied after the truck is assembled.
If that comes off, expect mounting the frame on top of the trucks in perhaps two weeks. Placing the tank on the frame and boards will come as soon as Leverett is certain everything that must be accomplished beforehand is done.