First off is the new gas grill purchased with donations from the 470 Restoration Facebook site. We wish to thank everyone who donated to this acquisition, as hamburgers and frankfurters will go down pretty well throughout the year. The grill will be stored indoors and covered when not in use. Again, thank you!

Hanna immediately displayed her artistic side, by climbing under the tender frame and touching up areas which were primed, but not yet painted. We are expecting Ramsey Welding of Lincoln, Maine to install the new tender bushing and pin, as well as the repaired brake cylinder head, this Wednesday.

How much does a cast steel Commonwealth truck frame weigh? How about 3575 pounds? Each wheel weighs in at 2800 pounds. Here we see Ron Jenkins and Jim Armstrong guiding in one wheelset, while Leverett Fernald operates the deck crane. By the time we closed down for the day, both wheel sets were placed and the #1 truck frame was ready to drop on to the cleaned and repaired journal boxes.

Regular chores of the month continued with Roger Bennatti needle scaling an unending line of brackets and brake rod components. The coal bunker doors of the tender have been cleaned and are being scaled, then primed. We did some cleaning and pick up while we get ready for Touch A Train on Sept. 11th.