Let's just say that you guys have to lift the boiler from the shay to replace the stays, would you guys also have to take off the cab? Also, I really appreciate the blogs whenever they are able to be posted. Keep doing what you guys are doing, you guys are doing a great job!
Yes, removing the cab roof is essential if we raise the boiler.
The Shay cab was designed to split allowing the upper part to be lifted for this purpose.
Nigel
Shane,
Clean rain water is certainly possible. The snag is that you would need a BIG collection and storage system. We are using around 8000 gallons in a weekend. Obviously most of our running is in what would normally be the dry season around here so you would need to plan on catching and storing most of your annual usage so ....
Nigel
Nigel, thanks for all your continued work on the blogs! I'm a member living in NJ so it's always good to hear what's going on back home.
Anyways, good to see 938 is getting some TLC. The tender looks like swiss cheese in parts! After she's done, will she be put under cover?
And then the ultimate question is, which one is next? 3007? The C&O berkshire?
John,
Yes. Sadly the tender is in poor shape. She should go under cover as part of the new barn project.
There will be much discussion around what next for cosmetic work. My personal preference would be to get some protection on to locos like 975 that are not currently planned to get under cover. But that is a personal choice.
Nigel
Hi Nigel,
I have some suggestions to enhance the experience of steam railroading for museum visitors:
1) In September 2002, I visited on the Sunday of Showcase weekend that month and remember seeing the three Lackawanna coaches/combine coupled together with the Nebraska Zephyr trainset on that day. This enlarged train consist was pulled by CB&Q 9911A/BN3, but for one trip, the diesels were uncoupled and #1630 actually pulled this combined trainset (Yes, you heard me correctly, the Nebraska Zephyr was hauled by steam power at the museum on that same day!)! With that said, is that a viable option that could be considered for a special event?
2)I also suggest that the museum consider coupling some cabooses or one of the observation cars (e.g. the Pullman Inglehome, a very nice car that I have enjoyed riding on in the past)onto the rear of the regular coach train consist for special events. For example, when the parents and kids arrive for Day out with Thomas next month, I'm sure they would enjoy riding on the top of a caboose behind a real steam locomotive (I most certainly did when Shay #5 provided the motive power years ago!).
3) Would it be possible for the museum to host a "Steam Days" event (kind of like Diesel Days)? What I mean is that 1630, Leviathan 63, and one or both of the Gramling's tank engines could pull different trains on the main line.
Bringing over 844, 765, or 261 would be problematic because the Fox River Bridge in Elgin has weight restrictions. Also, the return on investment for a Chicago to IRM trip would be relatively low.