Security Blanket

The day started with more paint removal from the 36. Just to keep Kirk happy, I spent some time removing paint from the chamfers in the siding. I never got around to taking a picture of the results, it would look just like all the others.

Then I wanted to check on the tarp I had installed on the 321 last time, so I trekked out across the frozen steppes along the tracks of the Trans-Siberian. As my nose started to freeze off, I began having second thoughts, but inspired by the heroic example of Roald Amundsen I soldiered on. The new tarp is still in place, and I attached some more straps. In between the cars there's no wind, so it wasn't too bad.

Ah, but later there was good news.

This may look like a roll of indoor-outdoor carpeting, but it's actually a fiberglass blanket designed to protect against welding arcs. Rod found it at McMaster Carr and bought us a roll of the right size. This is just what I needed to continue progress in getting the 36 operational. I've forgotten exactly what it's called, so I hope Rod can fill us in.

These first-generation contactors were mounted in wooden boxes, since the contactor frame is energized. Here we see a box on the 36 as it came to us from Cleveland. The sides of the box were originally covered with an insulating blanket of fireproof material, so that if the contactors draw a large arc for some reason it won't set the box on fire. It was attached with carpet tacks, and needs to be flexible to conform to the surface of the box. And you need to be able to cut holes in it to pass the wires into the box. The old insulating material was removed at Cleveland and needed to be replaced with some more modern substance. They also removed the leather straps holding the wires in place, so I had to replace those too.

Installation is not all that difficult. I started by cutting small pieces to shape for the ends of the box. Here's the first piece. I try to follow the original pattern of tacks. However, if you follow it too closely, you're trying to drive the new tack through the old tack. That doesn't work. Furthermore, there isn't much room to swing a hammer up inside this box with all the wires. So next time I plan to bring my staple gun.


I finished installing the insulation in the first of the three boxes. I might point out that the back piece is folded up under itself, so there's a double layer near the bottom, where the arc chutes are. This is much better than the picture above, you have to admit. When it's warmer, I'll paint it with a couple of coats of Glyptol, and we'll be ready to start installing the contactors!