Our latest Build 11 work session was held on August 12-14. Rick Sisson test fit the laser cut components of the wheel press extension fixture. The head of this fixture, designed by Gordon Cook, is sized to fit between the driver and its counterweight so that the wheel press can be used to press the crankpin into the counterweight. We need to order a little more material to finish the fixture, and then we’ll be ready to press crankpins.

We had some time available so Rick and Quentin Bethune weighed the main driver wheelset; it weighs about 2400 pounds – less crankpins and eccentrics. Quentin has been test fitting the eccentrics on the main driving wheelset axle. Satisfied with the fit, Quentin will take these home (again) to machine keyways in the eccentrics.

Our next task was attempting to form a 90 degree bend in the vacuum brake pot brackets. These are large, heavy pieces of 3/4” laser cut steel plate. Harold Downey, Quentin and Rick used our Baldwin electro-hydraulic press and our homemade brake fixture. We believe the press was built in the Baldwin Locomotive Works Eddystone plant – the press sports a Baldwin Locomotive Works builder’s plate. Below we see the plate aligned in the press.

We were able to bend these plates to about 15 degrees cold; we had to heat the plates to reach 90 degrees of bend. The Baldwin press topped out at 85 tons. Here we see Quentin measuring the bend angle between bending steps.

And the finished product – one left and one right sided.

We need 4 U-shaped pieces that will be welded to the eccentric rods. We built a steel form and used tooling from other U-shaped suspension components to bend these in our Baldwin press. We bent the first piece cold and it worked pretty well, but the piece cracked at each bend. We subsequently heated and successfully hot formed the next three pieces. We’ll finish the job in our next session. Here we see Quentin heating one of the pieces.

Harold has been researching Baldwin’s “olive green” and has developed a sample card for the team to evaluate. There is a lot of conflicting data of varying provenance but Harold has sifted through the lot and defined what he believes to be the authentic color. He’s now lining up a supplier to produce our “Build 11” color.

Harold has also spent time between sessions machining components to be used in our valve gear assisted by our newest volunteer Earl Leavitt, a retired machinist.

…and thank YOU for giving 111% to this project! In 2025, our friends and followers have donated an astounding $134,952 towards Build 11 – 112% of our $120,000 goal (for 2025.) All additional funds will be used to ensure the locomotive is on the rails as quickly as possible.

Learn more and contribute at www.build11.org