Box Car 67 - Official Work Thread

[Terry W. Shirley]

Even if that is so, I would consider it a winning coup that the WW&F is lucky enough to have gotten hold of some real SR&RL wheelsets!!

[Stephen Piwowarski]

In my opinion, the ultimate coup would be if we then we able to trade for authentic B&SR wheelsets/trucks from the SR&RL group up in Phillips!

[John Kokas]

Since we obviously have two different types of trucks for #67 wouldn't it be prudent to find out what exactly went under the car when built? With that info in hand it would be a matter of trading and/or buying a set of trucks that would be historically correct.  We are building a reputation of doing things the right way - this should be no exception.

Now with that said; I'm not advocating to not rebuild the trucks we currently have but to do so, "for the short term", but to also look for the correct truck(s) that we can then swap out.  This car can be a special showpiece for us - lets do it right.  If it costs a few bucks more, so be it and I'll be the first to kick in for it.

[Bill Baskerville]

I am with John on this one.  I will be the second to kick in to do it right.

[Terry W. Shirley]

I'll have to agree with you guys on this.  And it might be worthwhile to check with the SR&RL guys on wheelsets; I had not thought of that possibility.

[Philip Marshall]

I also like Steve's idea of looking into a swap with the SR&RL group. As much as I enjoy having little bits and pieces of all the other Two-Footers around at the WW&F, genuine marked SR&RL wheelsets are "unobtainium", and it makes more sense for them to go home to Phillips than to remain at Sheepscot. If we can possibly get a correct B&SR truck or wheelsets in exchange for them it would be much better for boxcar 67.

[Greg Klein]

Thought I'd share some photos of the draft gear that I got apart last weekend.  It came apart relatively easy, though some bolts were almost completely dissolved.  This is just one set of four.

[Paul Uhland]

Wow. Needs work. 

[Brendan Barry]

Timbers for the new side sills arrived last weekend. The third smaller timber standing on it's side will be ripped down for the roof purlins. The oak logs we harvested are going to the sawmill this week to be turned into end beams, queenpost beams, and carbody framing. Car siding has also been ordered.

[Philip Marshall]

That's nice looking wood! Is it Douglas fir?

[Brendan Barry]

Douglas fir.

[Greg Klein]

More progress on removing bolts and organizing parts.

[Paul Uhland]

Lots of valuable grabs, steps and brackets free after  Kroil and  torch artistry; lots of TOM burn kindling.
A vertical grab also makes a dandy big door handle.

[Mairi Dulaney]

More 67 deconstruction pictures. Most of the car framing was shot. Every vertical member was rotted at the bottom and everything in the door areas or spots where the exterior sheathing was missing was rotted. One 10 foot section of framing pretty much fell apart when the vertical tension rods were cut. All the vertical tension rods were corroded to the point you could twist the rods off by hand at the sills. Lots of detail pictures have been taken and sketches made of grab iron locations and framing details. The next step is to strip the floor off and flip the frame upside down to strip it down for rebuild. The center sills look like they are reusable. The outside sills and end beams are shot. The trucks need a complete rebuild all the wood parts are no good. Flat car 126 needs a truck rebuild also and the intention is to rebuild both sets of trucks this winter.

Just out of curiosity, would it be possible to get scans of those sketches put online?

[Alan Downey]

Hey Greg,

I just wanted to mention that I fully sympathize with that pile of parts you've got in front of you! Its remarkable how much effort goes into getting all the metal hardware cleaned up and ready to be installed again. To the casual observer, it might seem like they just need to be bolted back on, when in fact much more goes into it. I'm really glad so much of the hardware was still present and able to be restored.