March 2019 Work Reports

[John Kokas]

I assume the trucks need some TLC before going under #34.

[Bob Holmes]

Yes, they are now in the shop in Bays 1 and 3.  Decisions to be made to get the best set of trucks/wheels under 34 so it can be the workhorse it needs to be...

[John Kokas]

Might it be the time for some new trucks to be manufactured?

[Jason M Lamontagne]

Flatcar 34 needs to be serviceable for SWW, so there isn’t time to build new trucks.  While subject to revision pending the outcome of inspection after cleaning, we tentatively plan to change one wheel set, add brakes to one truck, paint and install them.

See ya
Jason

[James Patten]

Anticipated work for Saturday March 23:

* Flatcar 34
* Shop insulation/sheathing/organizing
* Car Host training class

I'm doubting that we'll be doing anymore upline tree cutting, as Spring has Sprung and mud season is here.  A lot of the snow is disappearing, plus I think it'll be raining on Saturday.

[Mike Fox]

Weather depending I still would like to drop the lone pine that could be in the way for the new track. It needs to fall towards the woods track so I will bring my chain hoist/come along and pull it over.

Also need to turn the equipment car and possibly deliver the dozer to the north end, depending on ground conditions.

[Brian Strait]

Is there work to be done with organizing the shop?

[Alan Downey]

Brian,

There will definitely be work to do organizing for anyone willing to help. Jason and I should be able to put our heads together solidify an approach for a few questions I had last week.

[Brian Strait]

Ok, I was more wondering if there would be anyone there with a plan.  Also, is there anything I can do when I get there Friday night?

[Brendan Barry]

The museum's big trailer flipped over to replace worn out suspension parts. Four spring equalizers on the trailer were broken and three more were close to failing.



The trailer has six short axles under it and rides on twelve tires.



After everything had been disassembled. The front two axles were just flipped over after the bolts and bushings were burned/cut off of the spring hangers. The back four axles were pulled off the trailer after the sping equalizer bolts were cut off. It is a lot easier to deal with the bushings and old bolts in the spring eyes on the ground.



The back four axles.  The axle in the middle still has the remains of the spring equalizers attached to the spring eyes. One of the cut off equalizers is laying on the ground to the right of the saw.

[John Kokas]

Brendan,  do you plan on sandblasting or just wire-wheeling the frame.  Looks like a good time for a total rebuild before May comes around.  I have a feeling the trailer is going to get some miles on it this year.

[Mike Fox]

Looking good Brendan. It will be nice to know that trailer is up to snuff again.

Finally got a start today on the wire installing attachment I have been dreaming up in my head for a couple of years. I had the bucket off the excavator to tighten up the pins, so there was no better time than now to at least start it. I had brought home old cutting edges from work, and this one used to be 7 feet long.



Slid onto the bucket



Next time I will add the knife section.

[Mike Fox]

James was away today so I will see if I can fill in for him.

Flatcar. Zack was making some very nice looking sideboards. Trucks were still being evaluated, with Jason pointing out to a couple of guys, Alan and Brian, at what to do next with them (towards the end of the day).

Alan continued his toolbox organization.

Jay was working on installing the AED box in the bathroom between other projects. I heard a nail gun going over at the shop later so I think he was back on the interior sheathing.

I took down the leaning pine, landing it exactly where I had planned with the assistance of Bob on my come-a-long as I slowly cut, as Joe and Rich played safety and watched the tree fall. Brush was burnt.

Fred led a crew splitting some firewood before lunch.

Steve P. led a class today that went well, introducing 2 new people to the museum.

A couple of members (husband and wife) of the Windsor Historical Society showed up today to talk about Sawmills. I showed him the shingle mill parts, and Brendan joined for some discussion about the sawmills we have.

Start had kitchen duties today, serving a great Beef Stew.

Linda was busy in the archives.

Some of the Maine Narrow Gauge steam crew showed up to work on #3 this afternoon.

More pictures will be posted by those that took them. Here is the tree..

[Bill Reidy]

I think Mike provided a good summary of the day.  A surprising (for me) number of volunteers on site working in small groups on a wide variety of projects.

More pictures will be posted by those that took them...

I took very few photos today, but here's one of note.  Steve Piwowarski (center, background) hosted our first car host workshop.  This view is in the Percival House dining/meeting room, with spouse Annie and son John on the right. 



My other set of photos was of the car door hanger castings for boxcar #67, but Brendan Barry has already posted a better photo under the Boxcar #67 thread.

I spent the morning with Dave on Fred's firewood splitting crew, within sight of Mike's crew dropping and burning the pine.

After lunch, a train with #52 pulling coach #8 was run to Top of Mountain and back so our car host volunteers and others could tour the line.  Brendan was engineer, Ed Lecuyer conductor, while I served as brakeman.  Mud season is in full bore, with ice melting and ditches full.  Spring is at hand.

[Paul Uhland]

Hats off to you guys.