Terry Harper

Thanks Bob, and Kudos to your grandfather - wonderful legacy! N&W built some fantastic locomotives in-house! The original 1907 boiler was lap seamed which condemned it. We still have it on-site as an exhibit. The current boiler was made new in 2014. (welded with fake rivets)Boilers of this size are not cheap! We have another Lombard in the collection dating from 1914 that has its original boiler - this one is butt-seamed. However, it hasn't been under steam for over 20 years. We are in the process of evaluating its condition. Our next step is stripping the boiler of all fittings, removing the saddle tank, gridding-off the boiler and firebox sheets and doing a comprehensive thickness survey using ultrasound equipment. Then making a determination from there. A new boiler will run upwards of 75K. Unfortunately that still won't get us on the show field at Pebble. (LOL) This particular Lombard was used on logging operations as late as 1948. Not bad for a machine costing $5,500.00 (FOB) in 1914! Here is a photo of it that appeared in an issue of "Life Magazine" in the 1940's. It was recovered from a site near Fish Lake circa 1956 and eventually restored to operating condition by the late Harry Crooker. Note the steam driven electric turbine from a locomotive mounted in front of the cab. No need to worry about 6 to 12 volt conversion!

Another year and another clean bill of health from the State boiler inspector. As usual we had a wonderful visit with Greg and we greatly appreciate his professionalism and knowledge - great day spent with good people! If only visits to the local DMV were this pleasant! The only surprise we had was finding an illicit stash of acorns on top of the crown sheet. Apparently the blowdown valve had been left open and a critter decided to take advantage of it. next task is washing out the boiler and buttoning it all back up.

Timely thread. Got to examine these two beauties from 1926 a few days ago. Both have their original Climax R6U engines. While a bit worse for wear they have a fascinating story behind them which I will have to share at another time.

Funny you should mention that. The aforementioned 1928 Lombard Tractor-Truck took 16 quarts (4 gallons) on the last oil change. And goes through the better part of a tube of grease per 4 hours of operation. If we hit all 64 grease fittings (once per year) that jumps up to two tubes. I really need to invest in one of those battery powered grease guns! However, the fun quotation is tipped way to far into the positive for the cost of oil or fuel to be of any concern. I am sure most of us feel that way about the automobiles, trucks, etc. we love so much.

On the other hand, the 1907 Lombard averages about .143 cords per mile. Preferably well seasoned hardwood cut in 16 inch lengths and split not too fine.

The 8 ton, 1928 Lombard dump truck can eek out a miserly 0.625 mpg if we don’t get too heavy handed with the throttle. We run non-ethanol.

Love it! Davis, in spite of being an "assembled" car it appeared to be well regarded.

What am I working on? Being patient while I Impatiently wait to have the beast out and about. Recent snow storms seem intent on extending mud season. Actually, working on headlight parts and pieces. More correctly… trying too! Finding time to focus on this and other projects has been a major challenge of late. Lot of great stuff in the works! Just not enough hours in the day. thanks to the generosity of a fellow forum member, we have the perfect headlights for the 1919 Lombard. Now we are working on a set of the latter large drum style lights for the beast shown above. Paul found this one at an antique shop years ago. The plan is to assemble a mate from the parts and pieces he has gathered over the years.

An early Brooks Stevens designed and built Excalibur (which this appears to be) is far removed from a kit car built in someone’s garage. Amazing talented designer.

Hello Bill, you can purchase water slide decal sheets with a white background. That is what I used for the decal on the dump truck.

About 4 years ago I made a large water slide decal for the radiator shutter for the dump truck. Not the smoothest surface! I did wash and clean it well with a final wipe using isopropyl alcohol. I used a nice soft bristle brush to place it and nestle it into the surface then sealed it with a matt clear coat. It's held up pretty well.

Circa 1917-1920 Lombard Tractor-Truck and sleds on the streets of Lac Frontiere, Quebec. We currently have one of these beast undergoing mechanical work in preparation for a move to the Maine Forest & Logging Museum where it will be on long term loan. Few things can compare to the un-muffled sound of a 964 cubic inch T-head. Looks like this one was a hit with the local boys.

Walt, I am sorry to read this. I always enjoy greatly your posted content and fathomless depth of knowledge. However, I also understand having had content that I spent considerable effort researching and crafting messed about with. It’s the key reason I have not posted much for the last few months and of that I am very sparing.

Hello Charles, That could prove to be quite a challenge. Yours is the first "J" I have heard of in existence. As you probably are aware, there are quite few A and B models out there as well as at least three model L and several model P engines in existence which are in fire trucks. I have a model PT which is the tractor version of the P (5-3/4" x 7"). Are you missing blocks or are they cracked or otherwise unserviceable?

Sargent plow. They were designed so the tractor actually pulled the plow rather than pushing it.