Sunday report

Frank writes...

I got out to IRM around 1pm on Sunday to find that the only train running was the CA&E wood train! The weather was hot, mid-90s with the heat index supposedly over 100. When I arrived the streetcar was on a break and the steam engine was down for the day with a failed gasket in the brake stand (which was later replaced, I understand). They were able to bring out a diesel by 2pm but in the interim the wood cars - and the 3142 once it went back into service - were the only things on the railroad.

Above is the crew for the train; motorman and resident wit Andy Sunderland is between a new volunteer on the left whose name I'm afraid I don't know and museum stalwart Henry Vincent. There were more passengers out than I would have expected and the train seemed pretty busy. Things calmed down when the diesel train went into service; at that point the two conductors above left the wood train and went to the coach train while Sam Polenetzky worked as wood train conductor for the last couple of trips. I went along on one trip accompanying my father and stepmother, who dropped by for a Fathers Day train ride.

After that I spent a while with the Car Shop crew hunting down parts and helping with a move to switch out track 83, the weather being too hot for much "real work." Above, Joel, Richard, and Greg have pulled most of the cars on 83 and lined them up in Yard 8. The 101 and the M15 are both scheduled to operate in two weeks for our "Centenarian Traction Weekend" while M37 is just living in Yard 8 these days.

The 1808 needed to be extracted so the revenue train of wood 'L' cars, the 1797 and 1268, did the honors. It's always nice to see a three-car matched set of wood cars! Unfortunately the 1808 is not ready for prime time and is in need of both body and mechanical work before it can be used on a regular basis, but it does run.

The 2200s are normally kept just inside the door on 83, but with the 308 and 319 in service they were stuck on track 84 to get them out of the way during the switch move. Joel pointed out that he didn't think these cars had ever been in the barn on track 84. This spot has held nothing but CA&E wood cars since the barn was electrified in 2000. And quick, for the Car Department trivia challenge, what was in this spot before the barn was electrified?

In other news, Tim Peters continues to race along. At some point during the past week the 1754 has acquired roof canvas on the entire car! Not all of the tacks are in, so Tim is obviously still in the "stretching and tacking" phase, but the progress is - as usual - remarkable. The 'Liner crew was also out, working on the Electroliner and touching up some items in the Signal Display, while Bob was in the shop machining something on the lathe.


Update:

Frank forgot to mention that he also spent some time prying open stuck windows on the 308.  They all worked back in March, but on a hot and humid day in June several were stuck and needed some persuasion.  Otherwise it would be unbearable inside the car.

Whenever the operating crew changes, it's necessary to have a job briefing, and here's photographic proof that the required meeting of the minds actually does take place.

A couple more pictures of the new canvas on the 1754, the best I could do standing on the ground.  If you've ever helped out with a complete roof job, you know how much effort is required, especially if done single-handedly.  Looks great!

Pssst: don't tell Frank, but here's a hint for the trivia challenge: they left behind a pile of broken pieces of concrete that never got cleaned up.