Our latest Build 11 work session was held on Monday through Wednesday, January 12-14.Your Build 11 team took some time to consider our approaches to “wheeling the locomotive”. Lowering the frame onto the wheelsets eventually won over raising the wheelsets into the frame. We’ve decided to use 2 pneumatic jacks to lower the rear frame and an overhead crane to lower the cylinder saddle. Because our overhead shop cranes are not rated for this lift we retrieved the mobile gantry crane from the garage. Here we see Bryce Weeks pulling one of the support legs inboard to reduce the overall span.

And finally, Harold, Quentin, Gordon Cook and Rick Sisson completed applying the second coat of Baldwin Olive Green to the locomotive components. There was a lot to paint and it took some time, so we’ll present to you a photo gallery…

Meanwhile, Earl reports on the valve gear work completed and underway since the last report: Tumbling shaft counterbalance assembly is complete, all machine work finished. Bushings for all the pins have been sized and installed in the hangars, reverse lever arm and tumbling shaft spring arm. Valve gear pin retaining washers are made and the final machining of the valve gear pins is now underway. Locations of the tumbling shaft and rocker boxes have been laid out and referenced on the frame for final assembly. Rocker box castings have arrived and preliminary machining set-up is underway.

Our 2026 fundraising is off to a good start with $17,044.50 raised. Remember, every dollar donated will be MATCHED by an anonymous donor (up to $60,000) and will help us keep construction of the locomotive “Pushing Forward”.

Learn more and contribute at www.build11.org