The very first step is to take off all appliances and parts, the running boards, handrails and the engine's cab. All the steam and air pipes are removed, tagged and stored, as well as the gages, sightglass, and brake stand. The cab floor, windows and doors are removed. The grate shakers and the grate sections are taken out of the firebox one-by-one. In short, the final result is a bare boiler and frame.

In March, the stack and the turret are removed and stored. Inside the new shop building, the boiler is jacked up and the frame removed from underneath. The ash pan is cut out and stored outside along with the frame. The smoke box is cut off; the dry pipe taken out, inspected and repaired. Finally, the rear tube sheet is cut out in one piece.

April brings busy days and evenings around the shop. The crews start to needlechip the inside and outside of the boiler. A template for the new rear tube sheet is made so a new one can be ordered to fit. The staybolts are burnt out and inside firebox sheets are removed. Welders are contracted to weld up the staybolt holes to size.

May comes and grinders are used on a daily basis. After the welders build up the staybolt holes, the surfaces need to be ground so they become level and smooth. By July, grinding continues, as well as the needle chipping of the boiler surfaces. 25% of the crown sheet is removed to access the braces for inspection.

From August through November different tasks continue and new ones begin. Every one requires time, patience and in some instances, great strength. The rear back head lower section is replaced, welded and molded into place. The lower part of the outside sheets is cut off completely exposing the mud ring. The lower side sheet wrapper is fitted and welded into place. Forming of the rear sheets of the firebox takes place and the new firebox sheets are fitted into place. From the boiler's belly a worn section is cut out and weeks later the belly patch is welded into place.

December proves to be a very busy month. The front rivets are put in. Contractors are called to perform a heat treatment on the belly patch to relieve internal stresses from the welding process. During this time, the Shop is off limits.

The firebox door hole ring is welded in; the new firebox door sheet arrives. All the braces in the boiler are made new and installed. At this time, our new front flue tube sheet arrives from the Strasburg Rail Road; 258 flues will be installed. The sheet must be braced, installed and welded into place.