I helped rebuild the #98 in 2002 and 2003. Rebuilt most of the firebox. Everything except the crown sheet. The outside sheets of the firebox had a section from the mudring up a few rows of staybolts that needed replacing because there was a substantial groove worn in it right at the mudring. All new tubes and both tube sheets was replaced. I've still got one of the floating staybolts from the crown sheet. They were threaded into the crown sheet but they set in a cup in on the top of the boiler that had a cap on it. That way they can move weird ways with the crown sheet and not break. It was very hard, hot, heavy work with long hours, 10 to 14 a day; but I loved it and had a blast doing it. I had learned a lot about steam locomotives from working as assistant to the master mechanic at the NCTM in Spencer NC while in high school from age 15 to 18 and started working with a contractor that traveled the country rebuilding steam locomotives at the Wilmington And Western RR a month or two after graduating high school. Worked on that project for 9 months and didn't see it through to the finish. Young and dumb and I screwed up a good opportunity at a career doing something I loved and was very passionate about and still am. Nice video of this awesome 4-4-0. I like to see videos of it running after the time I helped work on it. I think it's down for the fifteen year FRA inspection again and needs work maybe because I've not seen videos of it since it hit the last 15 year FRA inspection. If anyone knows the status I'd be interested and grateful if you could fill me in. 👍

WOW!!! Absolutely AWESOME VIDEO!! #98 hasn't changed a bit since my friends and I first saw her in 1978!

Hey dcoursey! Welcome back!

awesome steam video and horn ...

So you're the one I saw there! I was the engineer on that trip

Awsome steam engine were do you see these