So. African Hoppers 2806 and 2807 - Official Work Thread

[Dave Buczkowski]

I believe the hopper cars were painted black with SAR reporting marks. That’s probably how we will refresh them to, including their original numbers.
Dave

[Ted Miles]

Folks,
         The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?

TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge

[Brendan Barry]

Folks,
         The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?

TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge

Vacuum reservoirs for the brakes. The brake cylinders are the vertical drums with the ribs.

[Bill Reidy]

Folks,
         The ballast cars appear to have tanks on the two ends. What are they for?

TM WW&F Member likes narrow gauge

Vacuum reservoirs for the brakes. The brake cylinders are the vertical drums with the ribs.

I note the Eames vacuum brake/trucks rebuild team has made a concerted effort to have the reservoir tank mounted on each truck, along with the brake cylinder.  A couple of May 2023 photos here.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Jason will explain....

Thanks to the South Devon Railway for the photo.

[Jason M Lamontagne]

It may be best for John Scott to describe this, if he sees this thread.

This is a standard European style vacuum brake cylinder.  I’m sure there’s a model number and associated era when it was most common, but all the descriptions of European based automatic vacuum brake systems show this pot.

It is supposed by the two lugs on each side so that it is free to swing.  It is universally mounted in the orientation shown in the photo- with the actuating rod vertical and pointing down.  It pulls up on a bell crank which in turn pulls on the truck rod. 

Our system is focused on reproducing the Eames Brake Company’s version, which functioned equivalently but was differently arranged.  The two systems are compatible once we reconcile the end coupling sizes.

Photo was an internet grab from South Devon Railway.  Very informative cross section- which creates a better visual than the numerous line drawings available.

Thanks
Jason

[Ed Lecuyer]

Here are the drawings of the design we are implementing, for comparison.

[Ted Miles]

It is taking longer than I expected to move the SAR ballast cars and otheer hardware to Alna.
What is slowing things up? I think they will be useful at the next work party.

Ted Miles, Life Member, who is always interested in the WW&F

[Ed Lecuyer]

Current status:
1. The cars are in storage at Edaville.
2. All cars received from So. Africa (3 hoppers and 3 flats) need to have compatible coupling mechanisms fabricated and/or modified. The details of this is still in-flux.
3. The cars *may* see some use at Edaville, while they are there.
4. Meanwhile, the method of transportation from Edaville to Alna has changed slightly. This will be done in-house using the trailer that is being repaired.
5. The goal is to have the hopper cars in Alna before Fall Work Weekend.

Fundraising to pay for the cars has stalled at $22,778.00 (35% of the $66,000 cost). This will mean that some of our reserves will be necessary to fund the project.

[Benjamin Richards]

This will be done in-house using the trailer that is being repaired.

Towed by ... ? I'm assuming the stake body doesn't have enough GVW.

[Ed Lecuyer]

Brendan has the details on the vehicle doing the towing. I know a hitch needs to be installed.

[Ed Lecuyer]

First ballast wagon was transported by Brendan from Edaville to Sheepscot today. Photo is at Edaville (after loading.)

[Bob Holmes]

Super!  Trailer looks great...

[John Kokas]

Didn't we pick up some spare couplers and buffers from EBT a while back?  I remember going to Mt. Union with Wayne to scope out some candidates.

[Jeff Schumaker]

Glad to see that one will be on site for FWW.

Jeff