March Third Week 2004

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	In this picture you are looking at 484's left side.. the main rod still needs to be hooked up into the Crosshead and the Connecting rods have been installed! March 16th 2004.
	Here is the Left side Main Crank Pin, the Connecting rods have been installed and the Main Rod has been installed... the Eccentric Crank still needs to be installed!
	Another view of the Expansion link on 484.
	Once the Boiler is completely put back together, there is basically no way to get water in, because the Injectors only work under steam.. so we run water in thru the Blow-down Valves!!
	Here is a Picture of 484's Rear Back-head, the Water Glasses, the Steam Guage, and the Water Column have been installed for the Hydro test.
	Here is a Picture of 484's Johnson Bar.. it has been installed to allow the Locomotive to be timed. March 16th 2004.
	Another view of a Blow-down Valve, this is the Right side of 484.
	Here is a close-up view of 484's right Expansion Link, The Expansion Link allows the Locomotive to run thru its different Valve settings from full reverse to full forward.
	Here is another view of the Super-heater Units... This is the ends and they sit way inside the Larger Flues in the Boiler..
	Okay Ladies, here's Chuck.. He wanted to be Posted on the Web-page... He's Single and lives in Chama... Come'n and get him Ladies..
	Here is a Close-up of a Valve, this is the Piston Valve that controls the intake and exhaust on the Locomotive... March 16th 2004.
	Here is a look at 488's firebox, the exterior.. you can some staybolts have been removed to allow replacement and a few have been prepped for plug welding and redrilling! By Beveling out the holes, you can remove any cracks, then by welding you replace the metal and then you re-drill and re-thread and replace with a new Staybolt.
	There is actually quite a few staybolts that need replacing and to honest, I am not sure if they will replace any sections of 488's firebox, i'll check and get back to you guys out there in Internet Land!
	Here is 488's firebox, you can see some of the work that is going on inside of 488.
	Here is a Passenger Car wheel set on the a Machine in Chama, this is a steel wheel and it is being re-profiled. Now you see this wheel in Chama, in a few pictures we will install it in a Car in Antonito.
	You can see the whole wheel in this picture, one side is done and the other will get worked on soon, this is March the 16th and on the 17th it will be finished!
	In this Picture you can see some freshly Machined Boiler Plugs and some of the Equalizer parts for the Running gear on 488.
	In this Picture you can see one of the 2 axle trucks that support the Locomotives while they are getting worked on!
	In this Picture you are looking between two wheels, the 2 vertical straps you see coming down from the top of the Picture are actually Spring Rigging from the saddles.. the Item in the middle is a Equalizer.. when one wheel goes up or down, this item allows the other to ride up or down in opposite to keep the other wheels on the rail.. this allows the locomotive to distribute weight and to allow the Locomotive to ride thru sags and low spots in the rails while keeping all wheels on the rails..
	In this picture you are looking at the rear Trailing truck and its spring rigging, you can see the Equalizer coming from the #4 Driver.
	Here is close-up detailed shot of the Staybolt Caps on 484.
	Okay well the Work on 487 continue's, But I thought I would take a break and show you some Passenger Car Maintenance.. Remember that Wheel set in Chama, here it is in Antonito and is ready for installation in a Car. March 19th 2004.
	in this picture you can see 2 profiled wheel sets in place, the side of the trucks are removed and the Bolster is laying between the wheels..
	Here is a Passenger Car Spring, unlike Tender Truck Springs, these are always under tension and we have to compress them even more to get them out of the Trucks.. this is our home-made device to remove them.. we use the jack between the spring and the square box to compress them and the small vertical plate keeps the jack in place and prevents it from popping out and flying across the shop.
	Here is a nearly complete Truck ... you can see the side sections are in place and the bearings have been installed, you can see the chain in the middle of the picture, it is holding up the bolster until we re-install the springs! March 19th 2004.
	Another view of the Truck.
	Here is a Spring under compression, we take one out and slide that box over it to keep the compression, then remove the Jack and our home-made items and then remove the second spring.. and do the opposite to replace them!
	Here is a quick of 487's Cab, it is under going sand-blasting by yours truly for a new paint job and lettering!
	Here is that New Wheel under a passenger car in Antonito..
	Here is another car under-going and touch-up in Antonito..
	Here is a Picture of Some Wood Siding that Ronnie replaced on the Passenger Car..
	Here is Shot of 487's Super Heater Units in Antonito after delivery by Ray M.
	Here is Machine used to Roll the Large flues, you will see it in Action this next week.
	In this Picture you can see 487's freshly made Boiler plugs and the Device used to roll the smaller flues.
	Here is a little thing I am working on, its the Emergency Air line Valve for 487's Cab.. and the Copper Plate.. stating its purpose. March 19th 2004.
	Here are 487's Cab Doors and Windows.. in need of Green Paint and repair..
	A passenger Car nearly ready for fresh Paint.. I'll get the Numbers and name for you later..
	Okay, Okay it's not a train picture, but its a picture... that is the end of this weeks update.. we will continue to do our work and I am looking forward to the week ahead.. This is the Oldest Church in Colorado and is just down the road from the Antonito Depot.. Ain't it Pretty.. You know I do take pictures of other things too... not just Trains!!! Carlos Llamas..