On Saturday the Museum was a beehive of activity of all sorts. I didn't take any pictures of the so-called "Boot Camp" but from a distance it appeared to have a good number of people attending this introduction to IRM operations.
I started by installing the repainted grab iron in the #2 end of the 308. It's now securely fastened and has been load tested. Paint will have to wait until it warms up.
This end was still lacking a motorman's window shade. I didn't have any in storage that would fit this window, so the one installed in the 321 was removed, reduced in size by about 1/2", and installed. These window shades sometimes do come in handy when the setting sun is low in the sky.
Wooden window sash will sometimes stick. They had this same problem when the cars were new, and the Pullman company had special levers made to help open difficult windows. Roger loaned me an original. It's a fairly complicated design, with a hinged part on the bottom. I traced it as well as I could and took several pictures. When I have some time, I'd like to try making a replica.
In the meantime, I'm sure I've seen one-piece models, which are much easier to make. I ran one off on the big bandsaw, tried it out, and took it home for finishing.
After sorting out parts for a while, I ran out of things to do, so I had some time to wander around and take pictures!
The 1374 is over the pit for annual inspection. It will be used more often this year.
Tim continues work on the 1754:
Hot rivets were being inserted in the 28 by the usual rivet team of Norm, Dan, Jane, and Stu.
The furnace in operation is quite loud as well as bright and hot.
In this picture I think Norm is underneath the platform with the bucking bar while Stu is on the deck with the riveter.
Ed Woytula was welding new parts in the Cleveland PCC:
Jeff Brady ponders the "builder's blueprints" for the 28.
Finger points to the current focus of work. Actually this diagram was produced by Rich Witt and is indistinguishable from an actual blueprint, at least to my eyes. Rich does amazing work.
Keith Letsche was working on parts for the clerestory window mechanism in the 1754.
Bob Olsen continues on windows for the 109.
Richard tests some more air gauges with our calibration equipment.
Buzz shows off the progress on the interior of North Shore caboose 1003.
New window sills:
And the steel bracing in the cupola. They must have had problems with the framing on these wooden cars working loose.
What else did I miss? Jon was working on the 65, Victor and Bill on the Pennsy cabin car, and John on the 68 windows. Maybe others.
Meanwhile, the real spring cleaning was taking place outside, with major civic improvements under way. The B&G guys were in the process of getting ready to remove the baggage cars stored at the station. So first, the old wheelchair ramp was removed.
And Max was working on the electrical system, due to the removal of the baggage cars.
The signal guys were repairing bonds, such as the one in the foreground:
The 3142 and 415 were in operation for training new motormen.
The ramp was removed in sections and had to be transported south on Depot St. past all the obstacles, such as street signs, light poles, buildings, and so forth. Running the Bobcat is Tom Opolony Jr., who did an amazing job of threading his way down the street and avoiding all the hazards. You just had to be there.
And by the end of the day it looks like this:
And I'm told these cars, and the track they're sitting on, won't be in this location much longer. Watch this space for news!
Finally, in a smaller scale, Henry handed me a box full of old American Flyer trains donated to the Museum by a long-time member. I'm the designated S gauge expert, so it's my job to fix these things up and clean them. What fun! Eventually we will have sets like this on display and operating.
