Work continues on windows for the Shaker Heights 18. Frank has a good wire-wheel setup in his garage, so here he is cleaning up metal parts:
Meanwhile, I made wood parts for two more frames, and they are now assembled, as seen here:
And by the end of the day, we now have a total of five windows in primer:
And we trade parts as needed to keep the project going.
If I don't keep busy on IRM tasks, my wife can always find other things for me to do, such as setting bricks in the garden, like this:
It beats watching TV.
5 comments:
Randy this is a bit off topic...Have you ever written or posted anything regarding rebuilding/replacing the lobster trap roof ends on the North Shore cars? I gather each car is different. I and some others are interested in how you guys did it.
C Kronenwetter
I don't think there's anything mysterious about it, but I'll defer to those who have actually worked on North Shore lobster traps. I know you're out there.
The roof mats on a North Shore car are custom made to fit the particular end of every car. The most complicated part is cutting the saddles which run lengthwise with the car. On some cars (such as Michigan Electric 28), these have been steamed and formed to the profile of the roof. The North Shore saddles are a bit thicker, and original intact examples we have on 251 and 253 show that they were cut in 3 or so pieces and lap seamed together. This requires some hand fitting around a few complex curves. There are 5 saddles per roof mat. The slats themselves may well be the easiest part. Those are steamed and bent in place to fit the curved profile over the saddles.
In the past we have successfully placed new mats on 160 (in the 1970's) and 749 (in the 1990's). 251 and 253 still retain their original mats as built by Highwood. The other cars (172, 714, 757, and 763) are all missing them, though 757 gets a free pass as it hasn't had them since the late 1940's. The current plan is to build a new set for 714 within the next year. When we do so, I'll endeavor to document the process.
-Zach E.
Can you please refresh my memory. What is reason for lobster traps/roof mats on Both Shore cars?
Thanks,
John C.
They protect the canvas on the ends of the roof from damage. On most North Shore cars the steps up to the roof are on the ends of the car, and the roof mats act as a sort of ladder for the crewmen to get onto the roof. For a railroad that operated at high speed under wire, there's also a much great chance of trolley poles coming loose, wire hangers falling, etc. At least that's my guess. You might notice that the North Shore cars that went to the CA&E lost their lobster traps. I would think that just patching the canvas once in a while would be a lot easier, but that's evidently a matter of opinion.
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