Thursday Progress

Here's another progress report from the Car Shop.  

Gerry has been working on the brake valves for the 306.  The second one just got painted.

 And here's the first one with its piping and newly-fabricated support brackets out in the barn.

And the controller, lying on the cart.

Gerry asked me to explain what's going on here.  At Shaker, the controller and brake stands on these cars were moved about 8" to the left, for unknown reasons.  And so all the various connections had to be redone.  The three remaining cars were all rebuilt this way, and that means that the best example of how the 306 was originally configured is the IT 415.  (The IT cars were built by St. Louis at the about same time as the Fox River cars, and with nearly the same designs.)  Gerry and Norm have been examining the 415 for clues how to rewire and repipe the 306.  There's a lot of work involved, but when they're done, this will be the only authentically-restored Fox River car in existence.

John has been working hard on finishing up all the windows and associated parts.  Here are some in the spray booth.  He does very careful and meticulous work.

Of course, we make sure he has adequate supervision.

Meanwhile, Tim has been making new carlines for the 1808.  Several of the original carlines are broken and need to be replaced or at least reinforced.  The reason for this is that the 1808 (and 1797) were built as trailers, so they were designed with relatively weak roof structures, since there was nothing on the roof.  Later on, the L decided to motorize the cars, which made trolley poles necessary and this caused the roofs to start sagging.  Once he has the new carlines installed, they should last much better.  

Bill is sorting out window shades for the various wood L cars.  There are many different sizes and styles.  It's lucky we have the best minds in the business working on problems like this.

Finally, I finished stripping and sanding the smoker side of the 460's door and put on a coat of primer.  It should be ready for finish paint (a light blue).  Or else I will turn it over and prime the other side.

So as usual, a good time was had by all.