Passenger Car Department

                                               The snow is almost gone and Spring is here but you wouldn't believe it with the cold temperatures we've been having.    The temperatures do not keep Gary and I from making more headway.   We are beginning  to install a few parts that had been removed late last year.   This is happening because we finally installed and now have painted the three panels that we removed in December, 2013.

 

    Gary and I have reinstalled the first of two seat frames using brass flat head screws onto the newly painted panels.

 

 

                                 Here's Logan scraping old paint off of the standee grab handles.  Saturday, March 22th was his first day working on the 2612.   You did a fine job.  Thank you, Logan.  Hope to see you in upcoming weekends!   

 

                                Gary started removing our last panel Wednesday afternoon.     We first removed the last two remaining seat frames attacked to the panel.  As the pic shows he begin the messy job of grinding off the old screw heads.    Sparks took the place of the old "heads."   Our next visit will focus on removing this last panel and prepping for the installation of the new one.    I can't wait till we are done with this part of the restoration.  

 

                           This last picture, taken Wednesday, shows Christian  enclosing our newly painted panels with plastic.  We want to keep them clean from all the grinding that is still continuing on the interior.   The reader will see more of these sections covered as  the project proceeds.   

                              Please come and visit the Coach Dept.    Much progress has occurred since last fall.     Visit the Ely,  Birmingham, RI 2612, Lock Sloy, John Mcloughlin, and the Art Train display cars for a inperson  inspection of the work accomplished.   

                                           You might even consider helping these projects further along with a donation!       Thanks                Roger

                                                             Gary and I had an exceptional work day Tuesday. First, I delivered to the woodshop a twelve foot long by 3 inch wide board of Popular wood to be sawn into two more wood sills. Gary, in the meantime, removed the second  nickel seat frame.

                           This one was even more rusted out than the first!

Then as we were about to install the three painted, panels the new steel arrived. With the helped a small crew from the car department we off loaded it onto my Dodge pick up. Thanks to Mike and Rod for ordering it. I then drove to the 2612 were Gary and I unloaded it into the coach.

                                                                                     Now for a little fun and laughter!!             

 

    We began our final sequence  by caulking all steel ribs then gently installing each frame.    We inserted a few 1/4-20 screws to make sure the holes were properly aleigned then quickly installed the rest.   This was repeated three times until all holes were lined up and all screws installed.  The count; 96 steel screws.    We then used my drill to torque them down.   We were done about 5pm and were ready to go home!    What a day!!     

Yes, we have the three installed. Now, looking forward to paint and install three more.   This time it should take less time.   Gary and I have it down to a "science"    Ya, right!!! 

                          It is getting warmer!    The snow and ice are almost gone.    I hope you can visit IRM this year! 

                           Come on over to view and visit with the volunteers.      It is amazing to see all the winter progress!                                  Roger