Today was a new member spectacular!
The day started with myself and new member Keith Ziolkowski joined me and returning new member Bill. We found the model 50 missing it's exhaust circuit, under rebuild by Jeron. So a Plan B was formed. Off to 14-4 track to solve a reverse super elevation problem on the curve to this track off the switch. We gathered jacks, bars, forks, and shovels, onto the tie crane and off to yard 14.
We hand jacked the track and hand tampped from about 8:30 to 11:30, picking up the outer rail from "in the mud" to out of stone. A lift of over 6". After lunch we took the regulator back to yard 14 and dragged stone from the north side to the south side to fill in the cribs that were now devoid of stone. A quick broom job and the track was back to a useable status. Before this work, when the diesel department would try to switch cars on this track they had a tendency to derail when being pulled out.
Meanwhile back on the main........
Tom showed up later in the morning and fired up the mower for one last trip on the main before it leaves for a job. Tom was able to mow by Karstens crossing, cleaning up some trees that the farmer cut down and pushed over onto the property. He also was able to give a good pass between East switch and West Switch.
Third trick was Jeron coming out after work and installing a new exhaust elbow off the turbo. The old 90 degree bend had been previously welded, and subsequently rusted out again, and as Tom put it, made it smoke like a Russian tank. Jeron was able to find a suitable part and had Jamie from the diesel shop weld the flange to the turbo onto the new pipe. The exhaust was then put back on the crane for the Sunday activity. From what I understand it was a real wrestling job to get the exhaust back in.
During the wrap up of my tour of duty, Dave, and his young son Evan showed up having just joined the museum, and coming out to see what they can do as a team to help IRM. Work on our motorcar fleet was offered up, and they are eager to get started.
Unlike last week, cameras were on hand to record the festivities. Photos from Tom and myself have been posted here:
http://www.irm.org/gallery/album155Frank D.
Comments
Mon, 06-17-2013 09:50
Wish I could be there to help.
Fri, 06-14-2013 16:50
Matthew, Any special event is the decision of the museum Board. My personal opinion is that it is likely that there would be a special event to [...]
Thu, 06-13-2013 18:33
Hi, I have a question, if or when she is restored and back up and running this or next year. Will their be a special event set up for the return of [...]
Tue, 06-11-2013 22:36
The whistle 1630 wore for a while that you're thinking of was a Frisco 6 chime donated by a former member of the steam shop. It was on it a few times [...]
Tue, 06-11-2013 18:03
You are talking here about something well before my time !. I have not seen her with anything other than the whistle she now carries. If she [...]
Mon, 06-10-2013 16:17
i'm curious here. Will 1630 ever wear the ATSF 6 chime she had on for a while? Better defines her, I love the deep whistle she has now but the higher [...]
Sat, 06-08-2013 15:15
Many many many many many thanks for getting the Spaulding webcam working!!!!!
Fri, 06-07-2013 16:55
The donation was to the museum as a whole. How it is used and whether any comes to steam department projects will be the decision of the museum [...]
Fri, 06-07-2013 16:53
Basically the plan is "ONLY" reassembly. As far as we know she is is reasonable mechanical shape. The big mechanical problem that stopped her (slack [...]
Fri, 06-07-2013 16:28
Nigel I read you guys got a one million dollar check donation!!! Will this be used to finish 1630 ,428, 5 and get started on the others next in line?
Fri, 06-07-2013 16:16
So does 1630 basically only need reassembly? With the boiler in particular. Does her tender or running gear need any work before she's ready for the [...]
Fri, 06-07-2013 12:00
Hello.. The voltage we are using and presumed the RR also used is 120 vac. The system is a little unique because the lite bulbs are each 60 volts. [...]