Track Department

The team today was myself, Tom H, Frank D and our newest track dept volunteer Steve L.

The previously mentioned ex Amtrak brush cutter saw its first day of service today. After a typical jump start, we drove it over to Barn 2 where we had a battery charger running while the rest of us greased the entire machine, cleaned it up and checked fluids. It turns out the alternator which we thought was bad was working fine, but the battery was shot. It wasn't holding a charge so that will be the first thing to be replaced on it soon. Mid morning the car dept brought out the West Towns 141 for a switch move. The car looks great and was the first time i've seen the car outside. Can't wait to ride on it someday soon. Always though blue was a good color for streetcars.

The cutter had its fuel topped off and we headed to Central Ave where we set the machine on the tracks and ran it to Karsten's crossing. There Frank and I got a crash course in its operation, which is a beast to get used to, but we managed to cut a couple hundred feet of brush on both sides of the RoW. We found that the line poles for the overhead is going to cause a headache to cut around, but to do a quality cut of the right of way we'll have to spend the extra time to do it right. Steve met us out on the main line around noon and got his first views of the machine as well. The cutter is a two person machine, one driving/ operating one boom and the other person operates the other boom. I think we all agree that it's a pretty powerful machine, enough to cut 5" trees in half...

After a late lunch at Wendy's, the four of us met up in Yard 11 to do a few test lifts with the model 50 burro crane. The cold weather made starting the crane very difficult even with the block heater plugged in for most of the day. We did get it to fire and test lifted 3 track panels to measure weights for the new track in yard 11. A few new operators got a chance to run the crane for the first time and all did exceptionally well. All of the track panels are within the capabilities of our crane to handle including the stack furthest away. The 6000 tamper and Model 50 Burro are both on 11-0 track with access to power for the block heaters. We couldn't find a heater on the 6000 tamper (if it even has one) so that is not plugged in. Minus the seasonally cold and crappy weather, today turned out to be a great day. Thanks a lot to Steve for coming out and helping in this subprime weather. Even though it'll get cold and the snow will fly, we'll be working outside a lot taking advantage of the offseason not worrying about revenue trains. If anyone wants to help out there is always something to do. Next weekend will probably be brushcutting, prepping barn 11 or continuing machine maintenance. The switch tamper needs an oil change/ filter and the brush cutter does as well. More to come throughout the week...

Adam Robillard

The weather has been far too good lately...we are in for a long winter...

Saturday the track dept was myself, Tom H and Frank D. We had a 30 second reunion to start off the day because both Frank and Tom have been away from IRM for some time and this was a historic momemt...well not really, but ya know. The weather cooperated great. It's certainly fall, but we couldn't ask for better weather.

Our original plan was to build track in yard 11 or raise tracks in yard 11 in preparation for the barn. Unfortunately we were not able to touch yard 11 because the contractor was still occupying the building due to some unforeseen issues with the metal siding... Still determined to get something done we spoke with the electric car shop and they allowed us to use the pit in Barn 4 to get some much needed work done on a number of our machines. First for the day was the Model 50 burro crane which we had gotten running last weekend. As in true IRM fashion, we had to jump start the machine early in the day in yard 11. The engine was just too cold to get going but once we got it running it ran great. Over the pit we greased the entire underframe, topped of the transmission with ATF, inspected/ greased the deck rotation gearing, troubleshot a bad hydraulic leak (more to come on that), checked oil levels in the engine, axle gear cases, coolant level and a number of other small tasks. After we were pleased with that, we took the crane outside to test everything and locate the hydraulic leak. It seems the boom extension cylinder inside of the boom is the problem. When the boom is extend and retracted what we believe is the hydraulic seal on the cylinder itself leaks bad and drips oil out the backside of the boom. A repair to this is pretty substantial due to the fact that the cylinder is probably 30ft long and 6'+ in diameter and rests inside of the all welded boom... A few plans are being cooked up now for a remedy, but for now the boom extension is out of service but otherwise the crane itself is not in harm and still in service. The crane is ready for building yard track 11-4 when the time comes.
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I'd say it's time for an update from the track dept. eh? Things have been quite in the dept for some time but this past weekend we managed to whip out the spike mauls and tools for a little spiking practice.

More on that to follow....

Saturday's project was primarily aimed at repairing a few machines that have seen very little attention in the last few weeks...months...Adam made a trip to Crystal Lake where he picked up a brand new alternator for the Model 50 burro crane and found the correct hydraulic adapter for the front plow on the ballast regulator at Leaches. The first task after arriving was to repair the hydraulics on the ballast regulator which was done fairly quickly. It is now fixed and back in service. In the process Adam was joined by Andy C. and Jean who was walking the Carline marking switch ties to be replaced in the coming year...the plan hear is that our track contractor, Volkmann, will be brought in to do the tie work..pending budget money of course. Shortly afterward, Tom H. showed up along with R. Scott Davis from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum and with Warren and Nathaniel's help we installed the alternator in the Burro crane. Everything fit but the batteries were dead so we couldn't test it out. That wrapped up the day for most of us as we had to leave early with other obligations.
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