Thursday Progress

 For recent Car Department progress, we'll start with Wednesday.  Frank Kehoe painted the truck frame for the 1754, and it looks as good as new.

Plus some other parts of the kit: the equalizers, bolster, and journal boxes.

On Thursday, Gerry was working on the 306 in the morning, but I didn't get any pictures.

I was up on the roof of the 453 again.  I started fastening down the running boards with flat head screws, until I ran out of the correct size.  I'll have to get more.

A view of  the running boards, now securely fastened in place.

At the #1 end I installed the grab iron which is attached to the running board with long bolts.  That makes it easier and safer to hoist oneself onto the roof.

And I started pushing cables up through the roof.  This is the longest and most difficult one to do.

The cable comes up through a metal casting which is caulked and attached with screws.

By the way, I have a problem for the second shift to look at.  In the attic at the #1 (east) end, there are two roof cables missing most of their insulation.  Evidently raccoons or other critters got into the attic and chewed it all off.  They must really have been hungry.  Anyway, what's the best way to replace the insulation?  Can you get heat-shrink tubing that size?

Meanwhile, let's go for a walk and look at progress on Museum buildings.

Tim Peters is continuing to rebuild the interior of 50th Avenue.

And down the street, contractors are making progress on the interior of the MPB.