Jim Connor reports on the installation of the rear tube sheet:

“Most of the job was done by Bob Ristow and welder Jeff Lund. The basic job was to reassemble the plywood template and see if it would fit through the front of the boiler, slide down the barrel and tip in between the throat sheet and fire box sheets. This worked and gave us the close assurance that the real sheet would do the same. It did. Sounds simple. The actual job of getting the sheet into place was NOT simple but went better than we expected. Next a hanger was welded inside the steam dome. A comealong was attached and used to lower the sheet into its final resting place. After some fitting the sheet was tack welded. More fitting is needed and sections of the firebox side sheets that have been cut out replaced. Next will be beveling the sheets and butt welding the tube sheet to the side sheets and crown sheet. The bottom will be riveted to the mud ring.”

Jim Connor photos.