Today was another productive day at IRM, with several projects being worked on. For myself, I worked on windows for the 36. Repainted windows 11 and X1 were installed, and 15 and 16 were removed and taken to the shop for stripping and repainting. Now that it's somewhat warmer, it was nice to be able to work inside one of the cars again.
And then I could work on the roof of the 319, too. Rod ordered the screws I needed, so more of the lower tack molding was installed. (It's really unbelievable. If you go to hardware stores of any kind, slotted wood screws are almost impossible to find. Nothing but bloody Phillips. Civilization is doomed.) But that went well, and I cut the remaining two sections to length and painted them, so they can be installed next time.
Among other projects, Fred Zimmerman was helping Frank and Mike install seats in the Kansas City PCC. They happened to be at lunch when I stopped in, but it looks like this. This is really going to be a nice car.In the woodshop, Rich Witt, Paul Cronin, and Buzz were busy making wooden window frames for the Pullman car Villa Falls, a Roger Kramer project. Here Paul is carefully trimming one of the pieces.
Sorry, I was usually too busy myself to get good pictures of them at work. By the end of the day they had assembled six frames, with more in progress.
And I also painted the second third rail beam. This is the front side:
And this is the back.
Besides all this, Lorne was painting ceiling parts for the Cleveland PCC, Tim and Keith were working on the 24, Joel was working on his locomotive, and I don't know what else. We certainly keep busy!
6 comments:
Randy:
Just be glad that you are not working on an airplane. One definition of an airplane that I have heard is "10,000 Phillips head screws flying in formation".
Artschwartz
Will the KC PCC be operable, or a static Display. Very unusual car and glad the IRM has it for either purpose. Cars sure took a beating as boomers, especially in Toronto.
David Church
Randy,
The Western Railway Museum has two piles of Phillips head screws. SF Muni LRV #1058 built in 1978. And our newest car San Diego LRV #1018 built in 1982. The Phillips head screw is here to stay I am afraid.
At least our Key Bridge Units #182 and 187 have real screws.
Apparently the Phillips head came into wide spread use during World war II; as noted above the air plane industry was a major user along with pop rivets.
Ted Miles
IRM Member
David: Yes, the plan is to make the Kansas City car operational. We have trucks and motors for it; a lot of work still needs to be done, but it should be very feasible. The car was last overhauled by SEPTA about 1975, I'm told, so it's basically in good shape, as such things go.
Thanks Randy. Was this car a part of the Toronto Fleet or did it escape the salt and wear from that excursion? These cars are so unusual in that the KC disliked Standee Windows and actually succeeded in ordering 2nd generation PCCs with older window style. A testimony to the flexibility of the standard PCC design.
David Church
No, this car was never in Toronto. IRM acquired it directly from SEPTA in 1985. Frank's list has pictures and a history.
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