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Friday, June 15. 2012Shop Views - June 13, 2012Here is just two short reports today to play catch up for me.  Upholstery Shop John McKelvey is back in the area for the summer season and has resumed work to reupholster all the seats in North Shore 757. For me it would be a big job to do one seat!  Where the Elite Meet Here are some of the crew that were obviously in a high level conference. Why else would they stop talking as I walked by? The usual suspects and their projects were Lorne Tweed (Cleveland Transit System 4223), John Nelligan (Charles City Western 300), and Rich Witt (Chicago Great Western X 38). Monday, June 11. 2012CGW X 38 Update - June10, 2012RUSSELL PLOW HISTORY We are indebted to Mr. Gene Green who has shared these photos with us. They are of Pennsylvania Railroad Russell plows, builders photos. They have already proved valuable in determining the various arrangements offered and have helped determine how our plow was used. Enjoy the great detail in these shots.  Rear Wall In this view we see the rear wall of a plow, some details remain unfinished. This probably pre-dates the manufacture of our plow which has a cast end sill. This one has a fabricated or built up end sill.  Interior, Facing Forward A great shot of the interior looking forward to the elevated cab/cupola.  Interior, Facing Rear This view is of the interior facing to the rear. It shows a small gasoline powered generator which was used to power the headlight, interior lights, etc. There is also a schematic mounted on the rear wall to the right of the window. I wish I could extract and print that one.  Cab Interior A cab interior as built. Ours does not have the two fans to act as defrosters but instead a homemade arrangement to blow air on the interior of the front facing windows. The arrangement of the control valves in this image is very close to what was used on the CGW X 38.  Cab Interior Another view of the interior, for a different plow. Over time railroads modified and added things important to them. Ours is much more crowded.  Front Truck The front truck of a Russell Plow was of a unique design to fit below the front wedge, and inside the side shrouds. I do not see any provision for a brake beam and brakes in this set.One of a kind! Members have done a lot of work unearthing such historic data, thanks Lucien! The value of such historic images is PRICELESS. Work on our CGW X 38 continues, and of course a commercial here for donations to fund R X 38. Your help is needed and appreciated.
Sunday, June 10. 2012Steam Department Update 6-9-2012The high temperature and the number of visitors associated with the Union Pacific family day meant that work was a little more subdued than usual this weekend. However some significant progress was made. On 1630 the main focus was on investigating the back head braces. As discussed last week, the drawings, which have been the basis for previous calculations, suggest that this is the most highly stressed area of the boiler and potentially limits the pressure at which we can operate. For this reason we worked on ways of measuring how big the braces really are. This is no easy task as the critical braces are above the inner firebox 6 to 8 feet back between rows of stays that are only 4 inches apart. The picture shows the area braced. The position of the attachment bars is marked in chalk and, within these, the circles show the attachment points of the braces.
The method developed relies upon using a rigid steel "fork" that is strong enough to break scale off the brace and marginally less that 1 3/8 inches across. This will just fail to pass over a 1 3/8 brace but would easily pass over the smaller 1 1/4 or 1 1/8 (the 3 sizes shown in the design). This was proved and tested on the front tube sheet braces, which are very similar but easily accessible. Most of the team supported Jeff and Phil to develop a rig of webcam and lighting that could be fitted between the stays to observe and record the fork being applied to braces hidden above the firebox. Whilst painfully slow and hard work for the guys, particularly given the heat, the results were very encouraging. The first two of the hidden braces we have reached are definitely NOT the smaller 1 1/4 size shown on the drawing but 1 3/8. So we can already say the bracing is stronger than drawings would suggest. The bad news is that the remaining six braces are even more tricky to get to!!. Phil made a second test fork shaped to give us the best chance of reaching these and we will continue next week.
The shot above is the result of this process. This is about 7 feet along the length of the firebox but clearly shows the brace and the measuring fork. The fork would be an easy fit on a 1 1/4 bar and just fails to pass over a 1 3/8 rod, so this is clearly larger than the drawing shows. (In case anyone is wondering why a difference of 1/8th inch is so significant, the stress is related to the cross sectional area of the braces so the difference in area and reduction in stress between a 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 brace is a full 20%). Mike, Bob, Ed, Stu and others continued drilling out the rivet holes for the firebox patch. This is now approaching completion. All the holes are now pilot drilled and are being steadily increased in size to create the exact size required for the rivets.
We received the steel bar needed to produce the piston rod for the McCabe and Bob set that up in the lathe to start the machining to produce the piston rod. Once the McCabe is repaired we can start work on the patch itself. Glenn repaired the Sullair so we are now ready to sand blast the tube and start work on the safe ending the super heater flues. Stu and Bob worked on assembling the hydraulic pump for the planer. This will be a powerful tool if we can bring it into service. The table moves back and forth thru the cutting head allowing several large items such as axle boxes to the machined consistently and simultaneously.
Phil and I collected the new cab windows for 2050 that have been made in the woodwork shop. These are beautifully made and will really improve the look of this impressive locomotive. .............. Don't forget the Steam department benefit at Sanfillipo on July 1st tickets are available on the main web site. Nigel Sunday, June 10. 2012News and Views - June 9, 2012It was another hot cloudless day at IRM, 92 F, and a very busy day with perhaps 2500 visitors with IRM hosting UP FAMILY DAY for UP Chicago Service Unit employees and families. Some very unusual operations were featured at IRM with the Union Pacific Passenger EXTRAS, the LEVIATHAN steam train, a special RPO train with mail grabs, CA&E wood interurban main line runs, the CNW Bilevel train, CSL 3142 and CTA 4391 Green Hornet streetcar service, and our Vera Cruz 19 open car trolley.  Heritage Cabooses The Freight Department had four restored cabooses on display and open as we had personnel to act as docents. In the background you will see two of the modern UP specially painted locomotives that UP brought to the party.  Passenger EXTRA The Union Pacific also brought a passenger train to IRM and it left throughout the day from our station platforms and ran passenger EXTRA trips on their Belvidere Sub. It operated push pull with locomotives on both ends, the one on the west [EDIT] was the CNW 8701, one of only two remaining locomotives delivered new to the CNW, now on the UP roster.  GN 70104 Our completed restoration project for this hopper was also spotted east of Barn 6 for all to see.  Telegraph/Telephone Volunteer Frank Carraro continued his fine work on the vintage telegraph and telephone system in our depot office and bay window area.  CTS 4223 Lorne Tweed was up on the roof of our Cleveland PCC working on the installation of the many parts needed to restore a working trolley pole to the car.  CRT 1797 Tim Peters was doing some of the next stage restoration work - the electrical systems for Chicago Rapid Transit 1797.  CGW X 38 Work continued on the CGW Russel Snow Plow in spite of very warm temperatures. Perhaps half of the north side has been needlechipped and more of the many layers of old paint removed. Victor Humphreys closed out a very long day by applying primer to more of the areas cleaned down to bare metal. Thursday, June 7. 2012CGW X 38 Update - June 6, 2012We had another remarkable clear day to work outside on the snow plow. Maybe - the plow work and good turnout was because of the good weather - or the good weather was BECAUSE we were working on the plow. Either way we will take it! I counted ten volunteers contributing to this one project at one time or another throughout the day. Here are some images of SOME of the work.  Rear Wall Last Saturday Victor Humphreys fitted the missing wall panel in the back of the plow 'box'. Here he is pushing and bracing it to hold it still and in position for welding.  Inside Job With the steel plate in place, Mike Alterio welded in some clips and did some other set up work. He then proceeded to stitch together the entire seam.  Welded The panel is completely welded back in its position. Next - grind down the weld beads and do the cosmetic work.  Cleaning Crew Throughout the day volunteers rotated jobs cleaning the old paint and crud from the walls and left wing. Jim Leonard, Fred Ash, and John Faulhaber are on the morning shift.  Progress By the end of the day you can see a lot of area cleaned and ready for primer. Dave Rogan, Jim Leonard, and Fred Ash should be pleased. Sharp eyed viewers will notice a large are on the side of the 'box' has also been cleaned up.  In the Cab Simon Harrison and Dick Cubbage seem to be having entirely too much fun up in the control cab. They were working on windows. Took some out for measurements for replacement sash, did some detective work on some of the loose pieces inside.  Windows Sash that have been salvaged and removed are being measured and drawings made by our Engineering Department in the person of Rich Witt. We are also cutting plywood blanks to close up any of the openings without sash or glazing. There was also a lot of detective work, primarily on the mechanical and air systems. We are preparing a pneumatic schematic and have gotten through many of the primary systems including air brakes, and the six cylinders to open or retract the two wings and the flanger blades. Monday, June 4. 2012CGW X 38 Update - June 3, 2012RUSSELL PLOWS IN ACTION These are not of our plow, but have been generously shared by Aaron Schlegel. A set of wonderful images for all to appreciate that a Russell Plow in action was a sight to behold, when men were men. All three of these images were taken of operations on the shortline Marquette Railroad.  Aaron Schlegel Photo A tidal wave of snow crashes on road as the Marquette Rail Plow Extra blasts
across M 37 just north of White Cloud, Michigan on February 3, 2011.  Aaron Schlegel Photo The Plow
Extra blasts through the south end of Grant burying a derailment of tank cars
that had broken loose of their hand brakes and drifted to disaster a few days
prior. Grant, Michigan on February 3, 2011.  Aaron Schlegel Photo Time to move back a little as the plow approaches us head on in Woodland Park, Michigan on January 22, 2011. The plow is being pushed by locomotive GMTX 2635. So, it easy to see why fans, historians, and modelers find endless fascination with a RUSSELL PLOW.
Sunday, June 3. 2012Steam Department Update 6-2-2012At least I was able to get back to Union this weekend although mainly as a nuisance to others as I cannot lift anything much!!. Some key milestones were achieved. On 1630 we reached the important milestone that has been our objective for several weeks · All the measurements of boiler sheet thickness for the form 4 have now been completed. We owe an enormous thank you to Tom Huber of ECE Global who spent a second day crawling in and over the boiler with the UT testing equipment to complete a comprehensive set of measurements of every part of the pressure vessel. Collin, Phil and several others from the team supported him in locating points, cleaning and recording. We now just have to plot all the final measurements on diagrams of the sheets to complete a major part of the form 4.
· Dennis cut back and welded a small crack we found in the dome lid securing ring. We had been wondering how a crack this shape could form and now we know. It resulted from a small inclusion (defect) in the casting when it was made 95 years ago !. So it is now better than it has ever been.
· The flexible stays where the caps have been removed were thoroughly cleaned and are now ready for hammer testing; · A lot of progress has been made toward safe ending the super heater flues. A rigid measuring bar was made from used boiler tube to allow exact lengths to be confirmed;
Glenn Traced the problem with the Sullair to a broken fuel pump so we can hope to sand blast the material needed for the safe ends once the replacement fuel pump arrives next week; Phil and Cameron have made substantial progress on chamfering the ends of the flues to accept the safe ends; One flues that was found on inspection to have an existing weld was shortened to allow a new end to be fitted.
· We will probably do some work over the next couple of weekends in an attempt to clarify one anomaly. 1630 has been restricted in recent years to a 160 psi boiler pressure as opposed to the 180 at which it ran during its service with the Frisco and Eagle Pitcher. The reason for this is not wear but an apparent anomaly in the design. Drawings of the boiler consistently show the back head braced by a mixture of 1 3/8 and smaller diameter 1 1/4 diameter braces. The reason for this is unclear as, even by the standards when built, inclusion of the smaller braces brought stresses at 180 psi close to the limit in this one area when all other areas of the boiler show substantial reserve. As shown a couple of weeks ago, these braces, particularly the ones shown in the drawing as 1 1/4, are extremely difficult to access. However, yesterday for the first time we did manage to get a measuring tool to one shown in the drawing as 1 1/4. The strange thing is that it does not appear to be smaller. So the big question we will try to answer is whether the braces are actually bigger than the drawing shows. Paul reached a milestone on the truck for the Shay. This has now been needle chipped to the point at which we should be able to give it a final application of degreaser then a final steam clean and be ready to inspect and repaint. Given the large number of visitors to be expected next weekend for the UP event, steam cleaning will be scheduled two weeks out. This is not something you would want to be doing with many visitors passing by!.
Nigel |
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Comments
Sun, 05-19-2013 22:13
Hello again. I had an idea that was (somewhat rudely, mid-sentence) dismissed in talking to a museum volunteer a few years back, but here it goes [...]
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!!!!!!!