What a work party we had on hand today! Jim Armstrong, Paul Van Steenberghe, Peter Violette, Ron and Al Jenkins, Leverett Fernald, Clayton Nowells, four engineering students from the University of Maine, a new volunteer (Matt Pulgrano), Roger Benatti, Bob DeWachter, and Dick Glueck.

We accomplished so much work during the day as everyone had something on which to concentrate their efforts. Matt, Roger, Jim, and Paul (and later Ron, Al, Peter, and Dick) each worked on loosening the left side valve gear for removal, cleaning, and inspection. The freed valve gear will come down in the next few days as time allows. Nothing on a steam locomotive is light weight! Leverett, Peter, and Dick worked on loosening one side of a tender truck pedestal, and nearly got it entirely free, but with the exception of one bolt which will get burned out with a torch.

The "Fighting University of Maine Boiler Boys" were able to remove the boiler injector check valve, after laboring with heat and wrenches and muscle power. Bob and Peter cut and ground pipes to fabricate a working stand for the 470's cab, which with Leverett doing the crane work, we were able to put to immediate use. The cab is now hanging from the frame and ready to have bad steel removed and replaced. The cab is not an immediate need item, but it has to be repaired, and winter is a great time to invest time in what needs to be accomplished and checked off the list.

Clayton and Ron have gotten the pipes and fittings gathered on the shop floor to install permanent air lines for pneumatic tools.

While not all our regular workers could be on hand, the cumulative efforts expended over the past few weeks came together in a great year end day of accomplishment. Thank you all for participating in 2019. Thanks to all our members and supporters who are funding this work. They are the people breathing life back into Maine Central 470, making it easier for laborers to do the hands on tasks.

Happy Holidays to all of you fine people!