Once again lots of hard work by so many people, paid off. The Thomas event went off with out any problems even with the record heat of last weekend. Like always Gary had the equipment in top shape. This was not an easy task running these trains, there was no room for error. All the trains had to be on time and with-in 1 minute of the posted departures or it would have caused big problems to everything else going on. I can't say enough about the biggest piece of glue holding the whole operation together, CMO Gary Matthews. I was around alittle when the NYSW had the engine and the THS had just got it. People don't realize how much work a steam locomotive needs, even if it is only 10 to15 years old. When the THS made the choice to hire Gary full time to maintain the 142 in 2006, the 142 best days where ahead of her.
Gary has the engine under a preventive maintenence plan where the engine receives major work every winter, if it needs it or not. Over the last few years gary has had all the drivers dropped, all the running gear off a few times, rebuilt the air pumps, injectors, spring rigging, flues and so on. Plus he has improved on much of the factory equipment as far as the lubrication goes and it shows. I had to run the engine harder then most days due to the tight schedule last weekend, during layovers I checked multiple bearing and running gear friction points with my temp gun. The hottest bearing I found on a 85 degree day was 92 degrees. The 142 is a pleasure to operate thanks to Gary and the great bunch of people that help us improve our operation year after year.
Be Safe
Gary has the engine under a preventive maintenence plan where the engine receives major work every winter, if it needs it or not. Over the last few years gary has had all the drivers dropped, all the running gear off a few times, rebuilt the air pumps, injectors, spring rigging, flues and so on. Plus he has improved on much of the factory equipment as far as the lubrication goes and it shows. I had to run the engine harder then most days due to the tight schedule last weekend, during layovers I checked multiple bearing and running gear friction points with my temp gun. The hottest bearing I found on a 85 degree day was 92 degrees. The 142 is a pleasure to operate thanks to Gary and the great bunch of people that help us improve our operation year after year.
Be Safe
Main intrestest steam and short line railroads in the East.
Qualified engineer and firemen.
Qualified engineer and firemen.