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So far many, many hours have gone into a 3 week period with high hopes of running at Cabin Fever. Well, the best laid plans almost made it happen... We look forward to the President Day's run at Steamtown in Scranton PA. All that remains to complete the Version One retrofits is the final pipe fitting and a test firing (or two).
Many aspects of the upgrades and changes were developed and shared by Gordon Watson:
Version 1-
Crosshead- pin and blind nut
Pin (top is redesign and bottom is OEM)
The pin with the new design to strengthen the crosshead: pin with backing plate
Steam pivot joint
Ryan and Jeff have made some changes to enhance performance
Cylinders- bored out ports along with the increase in size of the steam/exhaust lines help improve the steam delivery.
Dual throttles with in cab deadleg lubricator:
-The concept of dual throttles was to fine tune each engine and allow equal capacity to both engines.
-The in-cab lubricator feeds the front engine, there is a separate one for the rear engine
Thanks to Justin for his boiler work in setting up the second throttle.
Second deadleg lubricator
Suspension- extensive refinement to ensure all wheels are running true on the track along with the correction of the saddle/center pivot (side benefit allows the boiler to sit level).
Ease of access:
Relocating the bypass valve under the cab
Upgraded bearing inserted into the rods, along with lap joint pins silver soldered: replacement on top, OEM on bottom.
-Note: the replacement main driver bearing is missing for the replacements
Along with special effects:
Lights
Sound of air pumps
The next upgrades will be the combination levers, new slide valves and extention of the valve rod.
We will be posting logs about this process, eventually ending up in the in the information section here on MLS. Once the entire engine has been completed from mechanics to cosmetics the log will detail the changes from the standard AC-12
Many aspects of the upgrades and changes were developed and shared by Gordon Watson:
Version 1-
Crosshead- pin and blind nut
Pin (top is redesign and bottom is OEM)
The pin with the new design to strengthen the crosshead: pin with backing plate


Steam pivot joint
Ryan and Jeff have made some changes to enhance performance
Cylinders- bored out ports along with the increase in size of the steam/exhaust lines help improve the steam delivery.
Dual throttles with in cab deadleg lubricator:
-The concept of dual throttles was to fine tune each engine and allow equal capacity to both engines.
-The in-cab lubricator feeds the front engine, there is a separate one for the rear engine
Thanks to Justin for his boiler work in setting up the second throttle.

Second deadleg lubricator
Suspension- extensive refinement to ensure all wheels are running true on the track along with the correction of the saddle/center pivot (side benefit allows the boiler to sit level).


Ease of access:
Relocating the bypass valve under the cab

Upgraded bearing inserted into the rods, along with lap joint pins silver soldered: replacement on top, OEM on bottom.
-Note: the replacement main driver bearing is missing for the replacements
Along with special effects:
Lights
Sound of air pumps

The next upgrades will be the combination levers, new slide valves and extention of the valve rod.
We will be posting logs about this process, eventually ending up in the in the information section here on MLS. Once the entire engine has been completed from mechanics to cosmetics the log will detail the changes from the standard AC-12