The Heat Is On

The next step in the long-running 309 bearing project is to solder the bearings halves together so that they can be machined accurately.  To do this, we need the big oven.  Without it, I don't know what we'd do.

We have special solder paste which can be used to attach the two halves.  Then the work has to be joined, and these are heavy cast brass parts.  That's why the oven is necessary.  Here's what the bearing looks like inside the oven.  The halves are joined with pipe straps so they'll remain perfectly aligned.

It takes a long time for the oven to get up to temperature, and then a long time for the work to cool down again.  So I wasn't exactly overworked.  But I don't want to walk away from the hot oven for very long.  One problem is that it's impossible to see what's going on inside.  I certainly don't want to open the door when the temperature is near 600 degrees.  But today the first of the new bearings was put together.

Of course, several other projects were in progress.  As always, Tim was at work on his L cars.  And here Victor shows off the horn for the CGW snow plow which he plans to install.

Victor and Bill have also been hard at work on the Pennsy tool car.  It's been at least partially painted and lettered, as seen here.  As tool cars go, this is a jewel!

Photo by Bob Albertson

And work continues on the interior of the 277.  Back about 15 years ago, I spent some time restoring one side of the main compartment -- work which stopped when the Trolleyville collection suddenly became available.  Gregg recently restored the baggage compartment, and now work on the main compartment has resumed, being done by Steve Smunt, whom I remember from the early days, and Paul Hough.

I went over there to look at what they've done so far, and provide some advice and assistance.  It's really good news that work continues on one of the premier items in the collection.

Finally, it was another beautiful fall day at IRM.  The pumpkin train will be running again this weekend, so don't miss it!