Work Car 1008 (Tamper "Big Joe") - Official Work Thread

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Treat it like a parking brake, not a service break.  It should never function to slow or stop you, just hold you still.

See ya
Jason

[Dave Buczkowski]

It's a good thing Mike isn't writing the operator's manual for Big Joe... Thanks for clearing that up Jason.

[Mike Fox]

Sorry, kind of did read like an instruction manual.



Oh wait, it was....

[Bill Reidy]

You can't please some people, Mike...

- Bill

[Mike Fox]

I am learning that. Put a big boy seat on, he wants a spot for a cooler. Put on a brake, he wants to know how to use it.

Just kidding Dave.


New drive motor showed up here today. Very fast shipping from Florida. I will have it Saturday incase something goes wrong, but will not stop production to put it on.

[Dave Buczkowski]

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie was one of my favorites to read to my daughter when she was young. Some of it must have rubbed off...

[James Patten]

Mike, I can guarantee that the tamper won't be used prior to 7 AM on Saturday morning!

Friday, I'm running the tamping crew.  I'm going to plan for a 9 AM departure from Sheepscot, although this may change based on other railroad needs.  We'll be working on "Davis Grade", which is just north of Brook Crossing. 

Saturday, I'd like to leave Sheepscot before 8, so that we can clear the mainline for an 11 AM passenger trip.

[Bill Reidy]

Hi James,

Regarding Davis grade, a couple of questions:

-- Do any ties need replacement on that stretch?  I seem to recall you've already done tie replacement on that section.
-- Assuming we have the turnout and some folks are willing, is there any ditching work that should be done through there?

- Bill

[Stephen Hussar]

I'm planning on being there Friday morning.

SH

[Mike Fox]

Bringing Big Joe's topic back toward the top.

Winter projects on this involve hose replacement, relocation of a fuel tank and combining fuel tanks, and the addition of hand and foot brakes. Possible other projects are more uses of the hydraulics, like trying to remove the starter pump for the raise/lower to convert that to hydraulic and maybe redoing the squeeze function.

Other ideas and suggestions are welcome, as I have already received some from A and B.

[Brendan Barry]

Mike I have some brake parts laying around already just need a little fab work for caliper brackets.

[Mike Fox]

I regret to announce the pending divorce for Big Joe and Lindsay. Lindsay was just not keeping up with Big Joe, and may have actually kept him from reaching his full potential.

Big Joe will now become Big Joe Airman. That is because we have completed the purchase of a 185 CFM Airman Screw Compressor. Brendan and I met about halfway between the seller and my location, where I took it for an overnight stay at the World HQ for ROWMOW1 MFG.

This compressor will keep the tamping heads of Big Joe rattling..

And this machine is a diesel..

[Jason M Lamontagne]

There’s one word for this:

AWESOME!!!!

Now to find room for a hydraulic pump...

[Wayne Laepple]

Following the divorce, will Lindsay leave town, or will she hang around and be put to other uses?

[Stephen Lennox]

Ah, what a sweet looking piece of equipment. It will be a nice addition to Big Joe.