Bill, If you want to see the blades spinning put the picture in slow motion 
Quick update.
The decking is basically finished, just a few closure pieces to install. Also have made some headway on the engine, the water piping is basically done as is the exhaust manifold and hope to have the intake manifold done tomorrow. Pictures to follow, later.
Might make it yet
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Well the engine is pretty much roughed in now, just a few minor items to finish up.
The cab/canopy is almost finished and I should have all the construction done by tomorrow.
That leaves, what, 9 days to disassemble, paint, reassemble, fix all my mistakes and get it weathered and running. Gonna be tight
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That’s 9 retirement days which is like 18 or 27 working stiffs days to work on projects. 
9 days? Plenty of time… you are retired, right ?
Yes, technically, but sometimes I wonder if that is really true
Yesterdays progress
The cab/canopy is complete except for last minute details and connections.
All the engine pieces are primed and ready for paint.
I should have everything painted and ready for assembly today.
Now if I can just remember where and how all the piecers fit together 
what did you use for the cab roof. If you mentioned it I missed it. It looks like leather. What ever you used it has a cool textured look.
The roof is supposed to look like oiled canvas, the way it turned out is a combination of planning and mistakes.
The material is Muslin from the fabric store stained with alcohol/black shoe dye mix. The interesting part came when I laid the wet fabric on my warming rack to dry. The rack is flat expanded metal that sits on my train room heater, I use it for warming paint cans, drying small painted parts etc.
Well that left the diamond pattern that you see, I started to chuck it and start over but decided to use it as is.
It is installed with Tite-Bond III brushed over it then dry brushed with a Sandstone color.
Getting things pulled together, should be done with assembly by tomorrow. Just the radiator assembly and the dashboard control panel left to fit.
Then nothing left but weathering And some added details.
Looks like we will be done on time but had to cut way back on details.
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Love the 90 degree quick reverse box!
Heck no don’t take the pattern out. while it may not be the look your after it gives it a textured weathered feel. Yes its very geometric but only if someone is really thinking on it. I didn’t really notice that it had an actual pattern until you mentioned it and I went back and looked.I think you captured the canvas look nicely.
That came out very unique. That’s definitely one of those pieces that people will stand up and notice.
Thanks Devon, appreciate the input.
Done! Well almost, still need a few small details and weathering but I’ve got 3 days. Looks like Mama gets to go out to dinner after all.
The Cat 60 engine was copied from the ones I built a few years back for my Cat 60’s project, although I didn’t put near as much detail into this engine because of the time constraints. I know that the proto picture for this project shows a Holt engine but since the Holt tractor company and the Best tractor company merged and formed the Caterpillar Company I think I am close enough
Starting the Cat 60 engine was an interesting project.
Take a look.
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Does that moss/weeds they you have growing in the foreground spread in the spring/summer time? I have similar green things growing but I can’t tell what it is.
What a unique locomotive, Rick. I particularly love the the exposed engine and all the details. You did a great job, as usual.
that could be mistaken for one of Cris Walas’ models!
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Thanks guys,
Craig, that’s just moss, turns brown and dies back at the first hint of dry heat, about the first of June, but comes right back even stronger with the first rains.
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Wow Rick, that’s an amazing amount of detail you’ve been able to sneak on board in one month!