The Build 11 team was back for our February 4-6 work session. Harold Downey, Joe Monty and Rick Sisson completed hot bending the lead truck pedestals using our flanging machine. The shorter bends were performed during the January work session. These components will be machined to ready them for assembly.

Meanwhile, Harold finished machining the rear truck swing link hanger castings. These are mounted to the top of the rear truck transoms and support, through the swing links, the spring plank.

During the time between work sessions Alan Downey machined the poling pocket castings. These will be mounted on either side of the pilot beam.

Alan Downey also machined the rear truck center plate which will be bolted to the bolster. Joe Monty drilled mounting holes in the spring plank.

After a morning of preparation Harold, Rick, Jason Lamontagne, Gordon Cook and Dave Buczkowski were able to rivet the rear truck assembly. Harold had developed a pneumatic buck which we used to back up each rivet as it was driven. This truck assembly uses 24 rivets which were done in one day.

Once the riveting was done we test fit the rear truck assembly. Gordon had brought up the swing link pins that he made in his home shop.

Meanwhile, Noah MacAdam has been busy in his home shop machining the lead truck bearing boxes and rear cylinder heads.

Noah has started work on the crosshead guide assemblies utilizing the precision milled bar stock we recently received. His next step will be to machine the spacer blocks that capture the crosshead guide ends and mount to the rear cylinder heads and guide yoke. 

Our 2024 fundraising off to a great start! To date we have received $8,737 (17% of the $50,000 goal for 2024.) Remember, you can still donate directly by check to the museum, use a credit card to donate through the gift shop, PayPal, or you can go to build11.org