Baltimore & Ohio 374065 Wagon Top Boxcar

A End

Despite unsettled skies, it did not rain after 10 AM or so and Victor Humphreys is sanding primed areas on the A end.  At the same time Mike Alterio fabricated the two remaining grab irons for the B end and installed them.

Priming Done

Here is an overall view of the north side and A end of the car.  The A end and four side panels have had welding and repairs completed, been primed, sanded, and re-primed.  It is quite a visual difference in person, so look closely at the pic to compare the left side, largely 'painted' in rust, with the right half of the completed work.

Roof

Meanwhile the roof needs some attention.  We have been diligently working to have it sandblasted and prime painted by a contractor due to the gratings and other details that make it impractical to do by hand.  So far, since the beginning of August we have hired two different guys to make this happen, and both have been unable to do the job.  It is not that complicated.

So, if any of you have a cousin or uncle that is a legitimate sandblaster, please have them contact me so this can be completed before winter.  (Temperature early this AM about 40 F).  And yes this will cost money so if you can see your way to helping support the work, donations may be sent to fund R374065.  Thanks

Patches

Victor Humphreys continued to install patches and do related body work throughout the day.  He is a perfectionist, insisting on the finished work being almost invisible of the repairs.

How Does That Grab You

Mike Alterio is installing new grab irons to replace those damaged and missing on the A end.  This day two were complete - fabricated, installed, and primed.

Fixture

Rich Witt has become a valued fixture in our shop, but in this case 'fixture' refers to the wooden oak form and jig being assembled.  New volunteer in our shop, David Diaz helps on the task.

Bending

As soon as the wood jig was done, we fit a steel custom made die assembly into the hydraulic press and began forming new caps for the ribs on the boxcar.  Rich Witt is supplying the muscle to the pump.  IT WORKED!  And as I was leaving the crew were hard at work to have seven pieces made and complete.

More Jigs

Rich Witt has just about completed the female side of a jig for bending new metal for the 'posts' on our wagon top boxcar.

The Old Grind

Victor Humphreys and Ray Pollice helped the project along with more cleaning of the old rusty sides and trucks, and priming.  Buzz Morissete is shown here manning a grinder to smooth down the weld 'worms' on five of the new patches.