Wednesday
As I mentioned before, one problem with putting the four-car train together was a leak in the gladhands for the control pipe. These gladhands are of an unusual design, and hard to get. Rich Witt and Bob Kutella helped me insert the hardware into a new hose, and the brake system then worked fine. Of course, it looks pretty much like any other brake hose from this distance. I then tested the control systems for both three cars and four cars, and ran the train back and forth a little. With this ancient equipment, you can't be too careful.
Meanwhile, some of my friends were helping with other projects. Al Reinschmidt painted up the parts for the window wipers at both ends of the 36, and they're now ready to install.
Rich is making good progress on making new first aid boxes for all of our CA&E cars. Here we see two or three of the kits being glued together.
And here's another before and after comparison. (L) Before, this plate for a side door on the 36 is scratched, rusted out at the bottom, and red. (R) After, it's whole, smooth, and blue. With Al's help, I drilled the holes in the right places and painted it.
Tim Peters just doesn't know when to quit. About 7, after I'd had supper, I went for a walk around the property. Tim was still chopping away at the 1024. That's why he gets more accomplished than any other three people combined, I guess.
Thursday
This is something that has not been seen since the early 50's, I think: three blue cars in a train. I ran them over early in the morning to letter the 36. Note that on this side, the 36 still has its red windows and doors, which looks a little goofy. But that will be corrected.
Here's what it looks like during the lettering process. I'm using One-Shot lettering enamel. Placement is based on in-service photos.
This is easier than dragging a scaffold back and forth.
I did all of the yellow, and about half of the black outlining -- I just ran out of time. I may still be able to finish the outlining, but from a distance, it's something probably only Frank and I would notice without prompting.
The 36 is ready for the next departure from Wells St. Columbia Park is no longer on the card.
And here we are on Station 1, heading back to the barn.
Don't miss the pageant on July 6th. You'll never forgive yourself.
Mr. Hicks, the pride of your achievements comes through loud and clear in your writing--and well it should. Your personal contribution to the CA&E cars is remarkable. Those of us old enough to remember when those cars were in service, as well as generations to come who will enjoy riding in them, are grateful to you for what you have accomplished.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding!
Addisonart
It's really neat to see the results of the collective hard work of Randy, Frank and Al after all of this time. The cars look great. Long Live Blue!
ReplyDeleteThe cars look terrific and they immediately brought to mind the North Shore Line's "green liner" scheme before it was simplified to just red and green. I just finished reading the new CERA bulletin on the CNS&M and some of the experimental paint schemes were striking and unexpected, even if they were "one off" variations. Did the CAE do anything similar as an experiment?
ReplyDeleteBruce:
ReplyDeleteThe only such experimental paint scheme that I'm aware of is that a couple of cars (412 and 418) were painted traction orange in 1928 or 29 with the idea of having different color cars for the Aurora and Elgin branches. See B105, p. 114. This did not last long because such a car assignment scheme was impractical.
The blue paint scheme was first tried out on a corner of one of the recently-acquired WB&A cars, as also shown in B105, p. 126. The stripe below the windows waw orange instead of red, according to the text, but that was quickly changed. I'm pretty sure no car was actually painted with orange striping or ends. Yuck.