Carrying on from a previous post the Aster C&S mogul is alive and well.  After taking the engine down to the frame I have all but re-built her from the ground up.  Han's had to order a few parts from Japan but the wait was well worth it.  After re-assembly and all gaskets and o-rings and fittings properly sealed and tightened the only word in the difference is absolutly amazing.  I re-set the timing and oiled her up and she ran on 7 psi in both directions.  Since it is -33 this morning and we have about 4' of snow I won't know until next spring how well the engine will pull under steam pressure.  Even at 7 psi trying to hold the center driver the increased power is noticeable.  I can hardly wait to steam her.  John Frank if you read this I'll bring her to Greg's open house in June and we can try those 3% grades and make you an Aster convert.I want to thank all the people from the old post who gave me advice on getting this engine off the shelf and back on the tracks.  I learned a number of new things especially about piston rings.  Thanks to all of you.

Chuck K

Chuck,

Glad to hear that everything is running well with your "aster disaster" mogul.  The one thing I can remember from the two that I have worked on are that they are excellent preformers and will pull stumps. 

Don't freeze too much up there!

Hey Chuck, that is good news.  Look forward to seeing it perform at Greg's.  I have always like the little C&S Moguls.  If you can make it work you might get a convert.