If you haven't done so already, read about our incredible donation matching offer here. Donations are still being received, and we're still matching any contributions to any of the indoor storage funds. Most of the available money has already been pledged, but you still have a chance to get in on the action! Remember, the window closes on Dec. 20. We appreciate all those who have been donating; if you want your name mentioned in public, be sure to let us know.
On Thursday both Al Reinschmidt and I were out at the Museum, working on the 36. Al spent most of the day in the shop, sanding down windows. First, he completed the time-consuming task of sanding down both sides of the end window that had been there for a while, after we had filled a rotted-out portion with epoxy. I later put a first coat of white primer on the exterior.
And here he is starting on another side window, one of 28. This task is repetitive, to be sure, but needs to be done.
And meanwhile, I finished stripping and sanding on four more sectors of the windows and trim on the car, and painted them with first primer.
At some point soon it will be too cold to continue doing much on the outside of the 36, and I will switch over to finish repainting the main compartment of the 319. But we certainly plan to have the 36 entirely repainted and lettered in time for next year's Trolleypalooza.
I see the unOfficial Soft Drink of the Hicks Car Works made a cameo appearance in today's post. I didn't know we were doing product placement.
ReplyDeleteAnd we also have the official primer on display, although I should have rotated the can to show the name better. David, your next task is to see how much free paint we can get from Rustoleum in return for product placement and celebrity endorsements.
ReplyDeleteI'm on it! Speaking of Barg's root beer, I like it, but always thought it tasted better back before Coca Cola bought it in the 1990s. Ever have Barg's cream soda? Also pretty good, but hard to find, only in limited markets.
ReplyDeleteRandall,
ReplyDeleteI was reading the Orange Empire Museum site and note that they have V&T 20 a combine built by Hicks Car & Locomotive Works.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum has a Hicks car.
are there any oters floating around?
Ted Miles
IRM Member
PS Did you really need that Choose and ID box? your site is the only place I see it.
TM
Yes, Ted, there is a complete list (as far as I know) at this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2009/03/hlc.html#309
As for the ID box, I'm not sure there's any alternative. We sure get plenty of spam comments, so it doesn't seem to do much good, I would agree. Maybe this deserves further study.
Yeah.. and someone had to refill the pop machine because it was empty of that brand (well plus nearly every other can of soda.
ReplyDeleteJoel makes a very valid point. We all too seldom applaud the efforts of the unsung heroes who fill the pop machine, haul away the empty pop cans, feed the cat, change the cat litter, and do all the other vital tasks without which the Electric and Freight Car departments would grind to a halt. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joel!
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that the "product can" was on the table before I arrived and not consumed by me!
ReplyDeleteQuestion about the cats...
ReplyDeleteAre they kept around for pest control?
We have had several foundling cats show up at our door. The mascot of the Electric Car Dept is named Mr. Socks. While he does take great delight at mousing around, he keeps them as a trophy and returns them to us, much the worse for wear. He is very independent and almost shuns humans - known around the barn as a FRAIDY CAT.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that this entry documents progress and important work yet the majority of the comments revolve around soda and cats. Myself included.
Bob Kutella
Congratulations, you all have been assimilated into the internet, with copious discussions of cats.
ReplyDeleteThat's fine, cats are good. To make this a little more preservation-oriented: When I started back in the 70s, birds in the barn were a big problem. There are lots of rafter for them to sit on, and bird droppings were everywhere. Every ventilator on the 309 had a bird's next inside. It was a real nuisance. For whatever reason, that seems to be much less of a problem nowadays. Might as well thank a cat.
ReplyDeleteOk, so to keep tabs, we have discussed:
ReplyDeleteProduct Placement
Root Beer
Filling the Soda Machine
Feeding the Cats
Cats as pest control
Other Hicks Car Co. Products
in this post, as well as some random mention of acutal work being done at IRM....
Seriously, good job everyone.
In response to Al, yes, Randy likes to "stage" product placement before he takes photos. He's somethat of an artist. You should have been around when Randy was trying to get Chesterfield and Old Taylor to become Hicks Car Works sponsors....
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, we even have new information on preserved Hicksco equipment, just for Ted! Frank discovered that Klondike Mines #1, a beautiful little narrow gauge 2-6-0, is on display in the Yukon, and was resold by the Hicks company back about 1900. It looks like it's in very good condition. I'll have a couple of weeks off from teaching in January, so that seems like a good time to visit the Yukon. If Sgt. Preston can get through, so can I. Let's just hope my wife approves....
ReplyDeleteAnd now we add "vacation destinations" to the list, David.
ReplyDeleteBob Kutella