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Monday, January 23. 2012Steam Department Update 1-22-2012The snow made for a pretty quiet weekend at the steam shop. Only a couple of brave souls made it to Union and Saturday. I got there Sunday along with Tom, Jason and Brian. Jason and Brian made good progress on cleaning and needle chipping most remaining areas of the boiler and the various pipes running along the outside of the boiler ready for testing.
The area remaining to be cleaned off is the one that everyone dreads - the underside of the barrel. This is the real fun area requiring that you crawl under the boiler and brush / needle chip directly above where you are lying - gravity then ensures that most of what you remove lands on you!!. I just about completed the set up for swaging ready to bring tubes in from the box car. However that will now be of lesser priority than getting the inside of the boiler sand blasted. Potential contractors for sand blasting are not willing to do the boiler interior at a reasonable price so we need to do it ourselves. Given that this will require several days use of a respirator helmet and subsequent use for welding inside 1630's tender, we have acquired a suitable pump. It is now the first priority to set the boiler up so that dust is generally contained within it and can be exhausted outside the shop. The we can get on with the job. I also got the help of Bob Kutella on modifying the timbers of the McCabe flanger so that it can be moved more easily. Unfortunately this requires timber that we could not get on a Sunday so hopefully that will be done next week. No report from me next weekend as I am in Florida for a week. Let's hope that we have a lot to report in 2 weeks. Nigel Monday, January 23. 2012TMS Project Update - January 22, 2012Work continues on this exciting project, with the hope of having TM 972 back on its trucks and operating at IRM this season.  Truck Work Norm Krentel and Jeff Brady are working on one of the trucks from beneath this car while the wheel and axle sets are out at a shop. This is a golden opportunity to do what amounts to a substantial rebuild of the truck, while the wheels and motors are out for work. The frame is inside our shop, so winter weather is not an issue. Unlike a model railroad truck consisting of three molded pieces, there are literally over one hundred parts and pieces. Over time, some of those become worn. They may still work for a while yet, but the clock is ticking with every additional service mile logged. So the prudent decision is to the repair or replacement of items showing substantial wear and which are badly out of spec. Current efforts involve still more dismantling of the many pieces, but right now we are focusing on "pins and bushings". The brake rigging in particular involves several levers, rods, and assemblies which must pivot and move when the brakes are applied. Each of those joints usually is held together by a hardened steel pin which rides inside a hardened steel bushing. The bushing is a press fit into the respective casting it resides in. All of that work is well along the way. Remember this an active project, and as with any project, unforeseen work may become apparent along the way. In this case we have made the decision to replace many of the pins and bushings, assuring decades of relatively trouble free operation. But that also means purchasing many of those parts, those we do not have as spares in inventory. And this is the first truck, the other awaits the same treatment. So we are not at the final cost and donations are still appreciated. The restricted fund is RTMS and your generous donation and support guarantees you are PARTICIPATING in this progress. |
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Comments
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.
Wed, 05-15-2013 21:28
I was not around at the time. General discussion suggests that it was "pretty marginal" in a number of areas. Nigel
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"
Fri, 05-10-2013 02:15
No, it will not be necessary to hold any of the work waiting for the plow to be turned, end for end. Weather will be the major factor, but there will [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 19:54
The CGW X-38 plow is really coming to life. Bob Kutella and Vic and crew need to be very proud of your collective efforts. I am very appreciative of [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 15:20
The snowplow looks great! Are you going to apply the door and upper windows befor it is turned to continue work?
Thu, 05-09-2013 09:09
Max, Is there any progress to report yet, in regards to the installation of the poles and overhead wires? Have a good day, sir.
Wed, 05-08-2013 18:40
Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Commonwealth #5 was removed from service. Do you know why?
Tue, 05-07-2013 09:28
Mr. Kolanowski.....I was just wondering if the Spaulding webcam will be up and running soon for us stay-at-homes. Thanks!2FP
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:04
Max, Has work begun yet on the construction phase of erecting the poles and putting up the wire? Wish I could be there to watch it happen.
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!
Sun, 05-05-2013 18:53
Ah yes, I have made such Jibs myself. If it were me, I would add in each corner an angled piece from the base to the Jib to act as sway bracing. [...]