When he's not busy with several other tasks, Gregg Wolfersheim continues to work on the UP doodlebug. He writes:
The past couple of weeks have seen more progress on M-35. Along the top of the walls (plate) there are some wood blocks that fit in between the carlines. Most are about 31 inches long. However, as usual when dealing with old trains, not all of these spaces are the same length! A few were as short as 28 inches, and several were 29-30 inches. So, each one had to be custom measured and fitted. In the picture, the left one is the top. On the right, is one upside down showing the relief needed to fit over rivet heads. then each one was marked so two holes could be bored thru for the bolts that hold the pieces to the car.
Now we have one bolted to the wall between the carlines. The purpose of these blocks is so there is something for the tack molding to attach to when the roof boards are applied. Tack molding is needed for a place for the canvas to get secured with carpet tacks.
This view shows one block installed and the plate beyond ready for more blocks. Soon we hope to purchase the roofing. It's an inch and a half wide by 5/16's of an inch, with a special form of tongue and groove. Once we have that, it will be nailed to the carlines.
2 comments:
It has been a long long time since that car has had a roof. I am sure that it will be happier to have one!
I assume that it will remain a static display. Does anyone know what kind of engine it has? Most of those Dootlebugs had gas engines; which were almost always reblaced with Diesels by the railroads.
Ted- I don't know why you'd need to assume it would be static, because it is a running car. Its original Winton engine was freeze-damaged before we got it and was replaced with a generally similar Roiline gas engine. The running gear is in decent shape.
R. W. Schauer
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