Where the Sidewalk Starts

In spite of the cold, damp weather, a number of interesting projects were in progress today.  Here's just a sample of them.

My first task was to reinstall the light fixture that had shorted out last time.  It was rewired at home.

Baling wire has many uses; here it's being used to hold up the heavy fixture so that the wires can be soldered together.  The wires leading out of the wall were trimmed back, and since the insulation here was still good, the wire itself was not corroded and could be soldered easily.  The other bulbs in this circuit were removed last time, so that both wires are floating.  That way I can have the car lights on and still work safely on this particular circuit.

I might point out that I'm still using this ancient Wen soldering gun that belonged to my father.  It's just right for tasks like this.

After the connections are soldered, the heat shrink tubing is placed over them and shrunk.   The trick here is to apply heat to the tubing without damaging the nice new paint.

Then the other bulbs were put back in, and the circuit tested for isolation at the rewired fixture.  It holds 600V without arcing.  And finally the last bulb was put in, and everything works as intended.

I spent much of the rest of the day doing more painting on the interior.  It's rather cozy.  I also visited the 321 again and did some more sorting of parts.

What else is going on?   Pete Galayda is painting windows for the IT Class B, and will be starting on the doors next.

And here we have the original stove from the Charles City Western locomotive.  When the line stopped operation, it was acquired by a local collector, but has now been donated to the Museum.  Pete plans to put it back in the cab of the 300 soon.  It will not, however, actually be used since he doesn't want to cut a hole in the nice new roof.

Tim continues to work on the end of the 1754.

New metal is in place, ready to be welded.

And here he is pouring epoxy into a window frame.

Gregg Wolfersheim has been working on some miscellaneous projects.  He recently repainted the windows and door on this end of North Shore line car 604.  They had been orange for many years but maroon is the correct color.   Look much better!  He has also done some cosmetic work on the IT line car 1702, and is working on one of the Diesels.

And here are some pictures of the recently relettered B&O wagontop boxcar that Victor and Bill have been working on for so long.  Buzz did his usual professional job generating the artwork, and it looks great!  It would look better outside, but at least there's an empty spot next the car for the moment.  Handle the car carefully while placing it on the track so you don't bend the brakewheel.

Finally, perhaps the biggest news is that the new sidewalk has been poured in front of the Schroeder Store.  This is necessary, of course, for the convenience of all our visitors who will be buying their tickets and gifts here, starting in less than two weeks.

The sidewalk extends eastward, and includes the entryway from Main Street into the corner gas station that will be located here.

By the end of the day the sun had come out, and the contractors were carefully finishing the surface of the concrete.   Just like downtown!

The sidewalk leading to the wheelchair access ramp.

The gas station will be placed just beyond the small piles of gravel in this picture.

You can help by talking up Happy Holidays Railway with your friends and neighbors.