Calling All Lobsters

Be on the lookout for completed lobster traps!  All the parts have been installed.  These traps have been thoroughly stress-tested and are considered highly non-dangerous.  They just need paint -- that is all!

Before getting to the lobster traps, I started by doing some work on the new seat frame for the Cleveland car, since it was nice and warm in the shop.  The new steel plate needed to be painted, since the rattan will be wet when installed.  First, Tim did some body and fender work:

And we noticed that the underside is already painted, as the plate was part of a sign.  Who knew?

And then I painted it with primer -- using a chip brush.  I can only hope the brush marks don't show through the rattan.  Seriously, though, it needs a finish coat of any color once the paint is dry.

And then I wire-wheeled and put a coat of primer on the outside of the other rope guard, which will go at the #1 end on the 714.

And all of the screws and other parts have been installed at the #1 end, and tested again.

At the #2 end, I installed the rope guard.  

If we get a warm spell, painting the slats can continue.  Until then, this project is pretty much complete.  To be sure, we also need to install the vent guards, which have been nicely painted, but again that can wait until all the slats are painted.  These guards are just attached with four screws each.

Of course, since Tim was in the shop, he continued to work on doors for the 1808.  Here we see one which has been epoxied together.

And Gregg stopped by to sand down some roof supports for the cab of the Public Service 7, our first steam locomotive.  That's been one of his recent projects.

Finally:

I walked over to the depot, and sure enough, this villa is real!

(And no, don't bother to correct my Spanish.)