Engine #1

[Hans Brandes]

More work to be accomplished tomorrow. It would be great if we can get the engine going and determine if we can make electricity. Tomoorrow is also our day to brush flues on #4. This means that at least one of these projects is going to have to be done outside. Unfortunately, the weather is once again not looking to cooperate on a Saturday.

Stay tuned for an update later this weekend.

[Hans Brandes]

More days put in this past week. The radiator is now hooked back up and filled with water. Some custom piping had to be done to mate the upper connection of the radiator to the engine. The compression release lever and the throttle linkage were also hooked up. Both required some custom brazing and bending. When done, compression will be able to be done from inside of the cab instead of outside by reaching under the hood.

We found out that the governor on the fuel pump was broken. This was discovered when we started the engine and were not able to control the throttle. The only way to shut it off was by compression release or shutting off the fuel supply.

We are hoping once the governor is fixed that we are close to putting the hood back on. Then we hope that it makes electricity all the way down to the traction motors.

[Mike Fox]

Sounds like you guys are making great progress. I hope the ground stays bare until it's ready. Was this a used engine you replaced it with? And any idea how many hours is on it since a rebuild?

[Hans Brandes]

The 'new' engine is a 1963. Number of hours unknown but purported to be low. Right now we are hoping to have a replacement fuel pump by Saturday so that it can go back on and then we can start up the engine again to see if it runs properly and makes electricity.

Another update to follow after this weekend.

[Hans Brandes]

We made great strides this past Saturday. A working fuel pump was found and was bolted on. A rod was fabricated so that we can now hold the decompression lever open from inside the cab while starting (much improved over the old method of standing outside and reaching in under the hood right next to the fan).

Then...we started it up. This time it came alive and did not race. The throttle was functional. So now we had a running engine but not hooked up to the muffler (can you say loud). Good fortune struck when were were able to contact Mark Hall (our boom truck owner) who had just gone to Peaks Island. He came back into Portland and met us as the sun was going down. We proceeded to put the hood back on and connect the exhaust under flashlight. It started back up and sounded quite nice. Access plate and louver panel were then installed. It now runs up and down the track.

So we are now down to reconnecting the lights, the bell, the horn and the plow. Hope to have this done this week.

[John McNamara]

Congratulations! Can't have only the steam aficionados celebrating the rebirth of a locomotive

[Mike Fox]

Nice job. Hope it keeps on running.

[Hans Brandes]

As they say on TV: "Case Closed".

Yesterday, a kill switch was put on, the idle was tuned and some other adjustments were made. It purrs like a kitten with minimal exhaust. It also starts right up. We can even hold the decompression lever open from the cab. Lights, bell and horn are all in working order. Another test ride was done last night and it has plenty of power. Good thing it does not have a turbo as that would have been too much.

So a big step forward yesterday, #1 work, #7 boiler on its way to Alna and SR&RL 15 is back from Penobscot Lumber in Rockport. The #15 rebuild is a true carpentry masterpiece. We hope to have some pictures up soon. It still needs heat pipes and chair backs reinstalled.

- Hans

[Ira Schreiber]

Great going, Hans and crew. It is never fun to work under the sky in less than perfect conditions. All at MNGM who helped deserve a pat on the back and here's mine.
Ira Schreiber
Member MNGM