Members of the CTRC leadership have been briefing city agencies and San Jose City Council on conceptual plans for the San Jose Steam Railroad Museum Park.

Chamfering of the tell tale holes of the hundreds of new staybolts inside the firebox is nearing completion.  Welding of the final staybolt hole in the firebox has been completed.  Pad welding of the firebox side wrapper sheet has begun with one area completed.

Weld repair of cracks identified in the brake foundation is moving forward.  Cracking of the brake foundation must have been common for 2479.  SP had performed a number of weld repairs to the foundation during its years of service.

Shoe and wedge for driver L2 was test fitted and measurements taken.  Tram wires must now be installed before finally machine work on shoes can take place.  Three of the six journal box to spring saddles have been machined to final length.

Reorganization of various materials at the restoration site continues.  Parts for the lawn tractor have finally been received.  The tractor was assembled this past weekend and returned to service.

From John Ezovski

Today the last of the staybolt sleeves were welded to the boiler of 2479.  In a very hot sun, John Blaine completed attaching 3 half sleeves and one full sleeve.

Its been a long road.  There is still so very much remaining.

From John Esovski

During this past week the crack located at the top of the frame cross member behind number 2 driver was welded.

The shoe and wedge for the fireman's side of number 2 driver were positioned and tested for fit.  Excessive side to side rock was noted for the shoe.  The pedestal face plate was found to have several high spots.  These high spots were removed by light polishing of the surface on Saturday.  The shoe and wedge may now be tested again for fit.

All of the locomotive's driver springs were removed.  The springs have been sitting atop the frame since restoration of the locomotive's equalization system was completed. Removal of the springs was required to allow installation of the journal box saddles at a future date.

Chamfering of staybolts in side the fire box continues.

Gouging out of a crack in the cross member in front of number 1 driver was completed.  This cross member is part of the locomotive's brake foundation.  There are at least three significant cracks in this part.

The lawn tractor is out of service for parts.  Cutting of grass was accomplished with hand pushed power mowers.

From John Esovski

By far the most significant accomplishment this week was completion of weld repairs to the left pedestal for number 2 driver.  Back in October of 2006, a crack was discovered at the top of the wedge pedestal on the left side of number 2 driver.  A close inspection of all other pedestals  revealed cracks in two other pedestals for number 2 driver.  This past week the third and final crack was welded.

The pedestal crack was discovered during repairs to the four face plates of the number 2 driver pedestals.  Each face plate's attaching welds had cracked nearly all the way around.  During the weld repairs to these plates, the shoe face plate on the left side twisted away from the frame and required a new plate be machined and installed.  This was the second major welding task completed this week.

With the repairs completed to the left side of the frame for number two driver, the shoe and wedge for the left pedestal can be installed and measured to ensure their faces are parallel.  If not, the necessary machining will be completed.  Once this task has been completed, all shoes will be installed and a final tram measurements will be performed.

Started this week was machining of the saddles that interface the locomotive springs to the driver's journal boxes.  This critical step sets the height of the locomotive and more important can determine the weight each journal carries.  Errors here can cause journals to over heat.

Finally comes grass cutting.  The task this week was not as easy as in past weeks.  Our lawn tractor is presently not operational.  Parts  are on back order and may not be available until mid-May.  With site appearance degrading, several workers (J. Zielinski, L. Murchinson, P. Ruhle) broke out the hand push mowers.  They cut a lot of grass during the work day.

Its been a real good week.

Thanks to all!