Freight Car Department

We split the crew today and got some work done on the CGW X 38 snowplow.

The Floor

Buzz Morisette tackled the job on the floor inside the rear end, completing removal of five floorboards whose ends had a lot rot near the doorways.  On the north side, the framing below those boards was rotted away to a large extent, so Buzz removed that, needlechipped and primed the steel below them.

In the Cab

In the cab Dave Rogan continued to work on air piping, checking for leaks and working to understand the maze of piping, valves, and fittings.

Air UP

Simon Harrison monitors the pressure gauge, here approaching 50 psi.  That is perfectly adequate to check for leaks and other defects before we move to the next stage.

The previous week we had started the process by hooking up air to the plow and charging the brake system.  The way this is designed, that train air line also serves to charge two large air tanks that supply the plow blades, and all the other devices needing air inside the car body.  It charges those tanks through two parallel valves and lines - one with a flow constrictor to limit air flow.  The other allows more rapid air flow, to be used when filling for the first time before the plow train leaves, but not during road service.  It fills the tanks faster but takes that air from the normal train line delivery system.  Why the second line that works more slowly?  Dave Rogan found out when he opened the rapid fill valve to save time and 'dynamited' the brakes providing loud noise and a surprise for everyone else in the car.  The second SLOW line does not steal the air from the brake system faster than a locomotive can supply it.

Framing

Good progress again yesterday on the X 38 snowplow.  We installed eight new pieces of interior wall framing, on the rear wall, shown here, and on the north side.  The next three pieces were cut drilled and are ready for paint.

North Side

Jim Leonard took to the high scaffold and continued the last little bit of needlechipping, wire brushing, and priming on the north side.  Most of that should be done on Saturday, weather permitting.  Then the focus will shift to the finish color coats.

Air It Up

Jim Leonard, Dave Rogan and Victor Humphreys are hooking us shop air to the plow for the first time since it arrived at IRM.  Several volunteers have worked steadily over the past few weeks, to reassemble air piping which had been dismantled, to replace and add new piping where needed, and now it was time to try it out.  Baby steps.  We blew out the lines to eliminate debris or scale, then the last few nipples and fittings were installed by Dave.  As expected, a number of minor leaks and fittings needing attention were discovered and these will be addressed.  Still, a milestone in the restoration process.

I am pretty much behind in offering more photos and history of our Chicago Great Western Russell plow.  But here are some great images from the Joe Pierson Collection for your enjoyment.  They provide interesting details and clues needed in our restoration work, even though right now the intent is not to repaint this into the yellow scheme.

THE YELLOW YEARS

Joe Pierson Collection

May 16, 1982, Butler Yard, Milwaukee, WI

Joe Pierson Collection

May 16, 1982, Butler Yard, Milwaukee, WI

Joe Pierson Collection

1984, no location

We continue to make good restoration progress, but as with all such work at IRM, donations are appreciated, yes, even required to maintain the pace of the work.  We have assembled an energetic team of volunteers, the money is what is missing.  Please send your help to fund RX38 .