From the SVHS website...

In January 1995, the Yolo Shortline trucked the 1233 from the fairgrounds approximately 1 mile to its yard on East Main Street. The engine was trucked separately from the tender. It rained on both days on which the moves occured. Temporary panel and ramp tracks were built to load the locomotive and tender onto the low bed trailers. Each move took approximately 4-5 hours from start to finish.

The planned work on the 1233 to place it into operation did not get started until early winter of 1995-1996. All of the 1233's new tubes were reset and two superheater flues were replaced. The FRA inspections were made and a successful hydro test was accomplished. The crosshead guides were re-machined and remounted and new crosshead slippers were made. The rods were put on and a new boiler jacket was fabricated. Many other small items were attended to, such as fixing the air-pump, getting piston rings unstuck (from carbonization) and installing the smokebox appliances. The 1233 was painted and lettered in a style patterned after the pre-1940's SP style.

The first fire-up of the 1233 occured in April of 1996 and several test runs were made in the Woodland yards to check new bearing and fix minor problems that arose. The first steam trip was made with a full excursion train in May when the 1233 ran from Woodland to Clarksburg and back. Most people riding that first trip never new that the 1233 broke its main water line to the boiler injectors that day. It happened while the 1233 and its train was awaiting the return of its passengers from a lunch break. The crew, with few tools, managed to make a hasty fix.

While in operation, the 1233 proved capable for both freight and passenger service. The 1233 saw some freight service, since it was "going that way anyway," so why not take the freight too? The primary operational problem was foaming in the boiler and priming (carrying water over into the throttle and to the cylinders). This was due primarily to old scale remaining in the boiler from SP days. Frequent boiler washes helped the problem and water treatment proved essential. The cylinder lubricant was also changed to help alleviate the problems caused by the foaming and priming.

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I have always heard that the folks at SVHS were really hard to work with and agree on anything. It was like they took the attitude that even if you have a bunch of money, it is THEIR engine-- so go away !!!

KRK