It's a Stretch

 Monday saw some more progress on the 460 roof project.

To start with, I tightened up the clamps that were already attached to the canvas at both ends, added a few more, and then installed two on either side at the middle.

The canvas by now is well stretched out for the most part, and this process is going faster than it did on the 453.  I believe this is just a seasonal thing: the difference between washing and drying the canvas in the middle of winter, and in the middle of summer.

Meanwhile, we see Fred cleaning up the trolley poles for the 306:

And John gives us a picture of the perfect fit of the new saddles on the 306.

Gerry checks the fit on a new piece of steel on the 1808...

and then starts welding it in place.

Here Tim is checking the fit on a new corner post.  The power lift helps with much of the heavy lifting.

While I was outside, I noticed a large flatbed delivering a load of concrete blocks for the facade of the North Western building.

And the city sewer system is being expanded as part of urban development.

Another interesting thing that happened today was the delivery of a truckload of books, model trains, pictures, and several other items from a long-time friend of the Museum.  I helped several of the others unload most of these items.  The books go to the Used Book Store and the trains went into the "Union Hobby Shop".  I was too busy to take pictures, and mostly it was just boxes, but this item is unlike anything we'd seen before.  It's about six feet long, and ignore that cardboard box.

It's made of large pieces of driftwood bolted or glued together, and on it somehow is a complex layout of tiny N gauge track.  It looks like it could actually operate.  Rather bizarre.

This is as good a time as any to remind people that we welcome the donation of model trains of all sizes and sorts.  Of course, as with the Used Book Store, when there are duplicates the department will put some of these items on sale to benefit the Museum, to finance the construction of the layouts, pay the rent, keep the lights on, etc.  Your donations are greatly appreciated!  On the other hand, if you're looking to buy model trains at reasonable prices, the Hobby Shop has them on sale and is generally open on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday.  Stop in, and tell them Hicks Car Works sent you!

Finally, by the end of the day I had finished drilling and putting a coat of primer on all the new saddles for the 460.  Next step: finish black.