february2week2004

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	The 487's Flues ready for installation! February 10th 2004.
	487's Flues.
	Another View of 487's Flues.
	Those are some of the Tampered ends on the Flues... these are the Larger Flues, they are Big on one end "the Smokebox end" to allow the super heater units to fit in them!
	Here we are in Welding Class, yes, these Railroaders are getting some Higher Education under our Belts.. we are all learning how to Weld! February 10th 2004.
	Roadmaster Max Pacheco in Class.
	Max, Tommy, Josh and Julio in Class. February 10th 2004.
	Marvin and Julio checking their Notes.. Julio is actually helping with the Class.
	During removal of the old Staybolts we did actually nick some of the sheets... or if they were a little worn.. we decided to completly fill in the Old Staybolt hole with New Weld and re-drill the holes... this picture shows Julio's fill welds to seal the old Staybolt holes for preparation of new holes.
	These welds are Pretty Cool... kinda like Metal Flowers.. if anybody doubts Julio's Welding, Trust me I have seen never Welding like this before, the Guy is Top Knotch...
	More Photo's of the Fill Welds on the Staybolts Holes, if you look to the right, you can see how we just filled in those 2 holes just on their edges... February 11th 2004.
	A close-up view of 487's Staybolt Caps.. February 11th 2004.
	487's Air Reservoirs... they are being Cleaned and Washed and will be Hammer Tested for leaks! February 12th 2004.
	February 12th 2004, Early Morning Antonito Colorado.
	We had a Heavy Snowfall and the Snow tried to creep into the Shop.
	In this Picture Julio is pre-heating the Metal before Welding.
	Ray, Joseph and Marvin performing a Hammer Test on 487's Air Reservoirs! February 12th 2004.
	Jose Working on one of the Rod Bushings.. although I wasn't there I am pretty sure he is putting groves into the bushing to allow the Grease to sit in there for lubrication!
	Orlando welding the Curved ends on the new Super-heater units.
	Steve and Ed working on another solution, they are standing next to 484..
	Look closely at the Brass Bushing, you can see the Groves being cut into it for the Lubrication.
	Work going on in the Chama Shop... I am not being Big-headed here.. but I must admit I am proud to work with these Guys.. Both in Antonito and Chama, these are Professional Men trained in a lost Art.. We are a dying Breed of American Worker, but trust me ... we aren't Dying, we are Getting Stronger everyday!
	February 12th 2004, the First repair sheet has been welded and is in place.
	Julio welding inside 487's Firebox!!
	February 12th 2004, all of 487's Flues ready for installation!
	Julio and Marvin working on the Big Patch, they were setting the big Patch in place, preparing for the Welding. February 13th 2004.
	The Big Patch in place in 487's Firebox, you can see the temporary pins welded to the plate to allow positioning and one of the first tack welds! February 13th 2004...
	In this Picture you can see the Fill Welds on 487's Firebox, they have been polished down smooth and are ready for Drilling... we will first drill the pilot holes, then the Large holes and then we will thread the holes for the new staybolts!!
	A new section of Floor in place... repaired February 13th 2004.
	487's big Patch in place, fully welded and repaired... it took some work, but its done!!! February 13th 2004.
	A close-up view of 487's repaired sheet, you can see the welds.. both Vertical and Horizontal.
	Another Picture of 487s repaired side-sheet.
	A close-up of the Welds, that is some Super Work.
	Another picture, you can see a few tools and some welding rod... One type of rod was used for the Root Weld and the other for the Fill welds... this allows a deep and proper penetration on the metal, which results in a solid weld!
	Another pic of the Welded Sheet Patch... February 13th 2004... about 6:00 P.M..... Julio stayed late to finish the weld...
	This is 484's Firebox, its kinda dark, but ain't that a great Picture!!!
	484's Front Flue sheet...
	Donald "ducky" working 484's New Flues.......Well that's it for this week... there will be about another 48 pictures on next weeks update, stayed tuned...