Inspection season is in full swing, and today we can report on the 319. This is one of the first cars we want to get running for regular service, so today after some switching I was able to pull it over the pit. And I finished most of the items that require the car to be over the pit, such as the motors and brake adjustment. What fun!
Here are some views of the control system. This all seems to work as it should. This is one case where I need a helper for short periods, so Jon Fenlaciki, John Faulhaber, and Dave Rogan helped with lifting the box covers and so on.
No serious issues were found, but while inspecting the motors at the #1 end I noticed that the ground cable was disconnected. It's probably been like this ever since we got the car, and perhaps happened when it was being moved. All the electrical systems still work, of course, but it would be nice to have this reconnected. I could not figure out an easy way to do that, so for the time being I made up a temporary splice with some additional wire. Maybe someone who's younger and smarter than I can fix it.
But other than that, we are close to being ready for passenger service.
And you will not be surprised to learn that there were several other projects being worked on, most of which I was too busy to photograph. Here Gerry is welding steel on the 306.
Jon takes time out from roof work on the 65 to fix the Museum's scaffold. John and Gerry provide the needed supervision.
Lorne is making this wooden frame which will serve as a pattern for wiring up the Cleveland PCC. This car will be almost completely new when they're done.
Finally, in the realm of property improvement, we should note that this Roto-Gate from the CTA (aka the "Iron Maiden") has been nicely repainted and installed at the location of the old ticket booth. Visitors will be able to exit through it from the depot area to the parking lot. It just needs a little more asphalt.
I would think the people at Schroeder's would object. At most museums the only possible exit is through, or at least near, the gift shop.
2 comments:
It is good to see the 306 getting worked on. Safety note, was there a fire extinguisher and/or water barrel close by when Gary was using the torch? Case in point: In 1942 during WWII the SS Normandie was lost due to a fire that was started by a welders torch.
I plan to be up at IRM for the annual meeting.
Randy Anderson
Kenansville NC
Randy, you can't see it but there is an extinguisher on the post right behind me. Every building and shop on the campus has extinguishers placed in accordance with code requirements.They are all inspected and serviced annually and tagged accordingly.
See you at the annual meeting!
Gerry Dettloff
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