For two months of alternate shifts working 7 days a week, this board has tracked the time. Today was the final shift, the last of several long days this week.
The boiler and chassis were lifted off of the horses by overhead crane.
The driving wheels were then rolled in.
Grease was applied to the axles and driving wheels in preparation for driving box installation.
The boxes were then lifted into place on the axles of the driving wheels.
Cotton wool was packed into the reservoirs to hold the lubricant.
Graphite cakes are applied to the pilot truck centerplate--another type of lubricant.
And then the frame and boiler were fit to the wheel assemblies. Suddenly, after months of work, it looks like a locomotive, as it is wheeled onto the transfer table!
And, under cover of darkness, the contraption is finally loaded onto the trailer. Its been a long day, but the deadline has been met. Sierra #3 will be delivered to Railtown tomorrow.
