03/02/2026
Well, it's been a month since I posted and so here is an update in regard to what's going on in the NCNG restoration shop. Our West Side Lumber Company Plymouth Engine #1 was having some upper engine head problems, so it was taken apart and appropriated repairs made. The radiator was in terrible condition and so it was removed and sent to a radiator shop in Auburn, CA for a rebuild. We expect the Plymouth to be back in service in a couple of weeks so that she can move Engine #5 out of the display building and into the shop so she can be prepared for her annual boiler inspection.
The NCNG box car #58 project headed by Blair Van Vliet is coming along nicely and is totally boxed in to include the roof. The doors are currently under construction as well as the side ladders and grab irons. Once the roofing is on, the car will be moved outside for further finish work so we can jump onto the new excursion car NCNG #71 which is a replica of the original former Lake Tahoe Narrow Gauge car that the NCNG purchased in 1899 along with Engine #5, the "Tahoe". The trucks for this car have been rebuilt by Alan, Don and Bill and are ready for the new body bolsters application.
The F&CC coach #56 has all of its new exterior siding on it and work is progressing on the platforms for the car. There are many pieces to these oak platforms that take a lot of time to cut and fit by Kevin, Coronel and Randy. In the meantime, Paul is working on the interior restoring all the mahogany wood trim, most of it in place since we found there is a high risk of damage in trying to remove these items.
The Sheffield velocipede project is nearing its completion. The velocipede came to us as a box of parts, and it has been lovingly restored by Craig Hoefer over the past six months. All the wood components are new to include some replicated metal parts to complete the project.
New sprockets and chains have just been applied to the West Side & Cherry Valley railbus #97, the "Donna Jean". New chain tensioners are being constructed also so we don't throw a chain which was becoming a problem. Once we hit our May operating season, both rail buses will be good to go. Speaking of going, our second railbus, the Sarah Kidder, is scheduled to go to NSRM in Carson City this upcoming Labor Day weekend so stay tuned for that. JC
