Leverett, Ron Jenkins, and Paul Hallett joined us in the shop today, each doing necessary tasks as they came along. The two former involved in some heavy lifting of materials.

Hotter than blazes at the shop today, but a great crew showed up and with Charlie Freeman's direction, Paul V.S., Bill A., Hanna, and Liam spiked in and tamped about 15 feet of rail. We need a little more ballast, but for all intents, we've got the track addition in place. In order to do that, we pulled out 470 with help from Bob Moore and the DESR front end loader. At one point, the left rear driver rode up on the rail head, but Paul and Bill, Liam, and Hanna, used a chain fall to drag it back into the flangeway. We believe the driver has settled downwards. The day finished with Hanna and Dick applying lead paint abatement stripper to one side of the valve gear yoke and front left driver. In this heat, it should eat that old paint right up.

Next Saturday, we are looking at moving 470 forward again and prepping to receive the tender and trucks indoors. Rivets have been ordered, courtesy of the Dailey Foundation grant.