We've got real potential

I did spend some time on Sunday working on the 205, but it wasn't anything terribly exciting. I installed the center end window (shown below) at the west end, needle-chipped and wire wheeled one of the end window posts, and did some more clean-up inside the car. Practically everything is now underneath the seats instead of on top of them, though I still need to do something with the large pile of junk window shades at the east end of the car.More interesting, or at least I thought, was that I assisted (read as: stood around and watched) a group of Car Dept people who were troubleshooting CA&E 431. Training motormen on the CA&E steel cars will begin this year with the goal of putting them into revenue service, but before that happens a few bugs have to be taken care of. Most notable is the 431, which hasn't been "playing well with others." In a two-car train there are control problems, although the car is fine by itself or in a three-car train. The problem was traced to the potential relay, something the wood cars don't even have . I was told that this drops out the motors if power is lost in the 3rd point or above, forcing the motorman to notch back up and preventing a sudden jolt of current when power is regained (like at a third rail gap). Below left, the potential relay, which is mounted inside the end of the DB-260 contactor box; below right, Rod, Dan and Joe watch as the car is sequenced after the relay was repaired by Rod.









In other news, Norm Krentel updated me on the replacement contactor tip situation. The order has apparently been placed for a batch of new DB-131 contactor tips which can be used under the 409 and 308, and we're working on an order for DB-15 tips that can be used under the 309, 36 and also under "L" car 1024 if it is made to run in the future. Know any museums that might be interested in going in on the DB-15 order with us? Shoot us an e-mail!