Gregg Wolfersheim sends us another report on the IT line car restoration. By the time he's done, this will probably be the nicest line car in the country!
In our previous line car report were some pics of the canvas being stretched. Here are two more views showing how the ratcheting straps are anchored. First view is the deck end. The reel cradle made a fine anchoring post.
The other end was more of a challenge. In trying to keep the straps pulling more horizontally, I needed to go well beyond the car. Using a long board I found in the barn, I attached the straps to it. However, it soon started to bow with the tension as it was only held back by the posts that hold the barn up. A couple of 2" sticks were used as a brace against the ties. Then four 'C' clamps were used to anchor everything else to the rail. Most of the straps had to be doubled up to reach the canvas, too. But, it worked!
On September 3rd I started tacking the canvas on the #2 end of the car with the help of Jane B.
Soon we had the end done and a small start on both sides.
A few days later and the process is a little over halfway.
On Saturday, the 9th, I was able to finish all the tacking. Next is paint as soon as Pete is able to mix up a batch.
4 comments:
When you cut holes in the canvas for the vertical posts, what will you have to do to keep from losing too much stretch or causing the cut edges to begin tearing?
-T. Rich
I would tack it down around the square gaps in the wood, then cut out the canvas. That's how I have handled the cutouts for roof cables and ventilators.
Is it easier or harder to apply new canvas to a car with a much shorter roof section, compared to something bigger like a North Shore car or a CA&E car? Also, are there any cars in the museum collection that do not have canvas roofs and are just straight metal, wood, etc.?
-Matt Maloy
Well, I would imagine it's much easier on a smaller roof, apart from finding ways to anchor the tensioning straps. And there are lots of cars in the Museum that have metal roofs, all of the more modern electric cars such as the Electroliner, the PCC's, etc. etc. You would not normally try to have a roof made of bare (or painted) wood, except that the 4001 had a roof of Masonite panels held down with aluminum channels. That was certainly not designed for maintenance.
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