Thanks to Pete Galayda, I now have plenty of canvas paint to finish the 460's roof. While waiting for it to warm up in the barn, I spent some time installing parts on the roof at the #2 end: the one power cable that comes up through the roof, and the piping for the horn. They're now ready to use.
And since we no longer need access to the attic at this end, I asked Gerry to help me lift the ceiling plate into position so it could be attached. It's big and heavy and awkward, but with some help it wasn't too hard. I then started installing all the machine screws that hold it in place.
And then it was time to start painting the rest of the canvas -- the #1 end of the roof, and the two walkway pieces of canvas installed last time.
That went pretty well. As usual, the lighting makes it look more varied than it really is.
Then, we need to go around and look for drips. Oops!
But a quick wipe with a clean cloth takes care of these quickly and easily. The 460 has a beautiful paint job that we want to protect.
Bill was working on third-rail beams for L cars, among other things.
And while we're here, looking out the back door, progress has been made on cleaning up the sites of track 42:
and track 43:
I walked over to the North Western building, but it wasn't open. It looks like more work has been done on the interior. And out in front, a lot of progress appears to have been made on the sewer system:
And the HVAC:
Finally, we have this week's quiz! While cleaning up parts storage, Tim came across this section of rail. It's much smaller than any modern rail and has an unusual cross-section. We think it looks like something that Bill McGregor would have collected. Anybody want to hazard a guess as to where it came from?
8 comments:
Is that rail for a crane?
If Tim found that rail next to three other pieces just like it, we know about them and have an exhibit planned for it and some other ancient pieces. Just waiting for time to clean and dress them up!
R. W. Schauer
I wonder if it is from the Chicaho subways; those two-foot lines used to run on small rails.
Ted Miles, IRM Member
Just got my rail & Wire; a fine issue!
Ted- This rail is bigger than the Tunnel Co. rails. It's maybe 60 or 65 pound.
R. W. Schauer
Based off the rail section dimensions provided in this website I believe the picture shows 35 pound rail since the measuring tape shows a 3.3 inch wide base consistent with 35CE rail. The base width of 65 pound rail is roughly one inch wider.
https://railroadrails.com/knowlege/rail-section-dimensions/
Tony- It's assuredly not ASCE rail. Notice the shape of the underside of the head. It's heavier than what its base dimensions would indicate; maybe it's in the 50 pound range, but certainly not 35. As a hint, one of the pieces has a legible roll mark that includes the number "77".
R. W. Schauer
Ah yes, the "pear head" rail of McGregor infamy...there's a story about that from the old ERHS days at Downers Grove....
It is, as you say, pear-head rail. The roll mark that can be read says "UD 77" which would most likely mean 1877, although I don't know if there's more that's illegible or who UD would be if there isn't any more. This is fairly late for pear-head rail, and the head is less pear-shaped than older (1860s-ish) rail, but still not shaped like modern T-rail. We have a really nice piece of Cambria rail from 1882 for the exhibit that's the modern T profile.
R. W. Schauer
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