August 30, 2011

Hello everyone.

For those who are still without power, I hope you get it back very soon.

The museum survived the tropical storm Irene with some damage, but overall, we were very lucky.

A tree came down on the snack bar coach, but did not appear to do much of any damage to the coach.

We had a tree come down near woods barn which broke the high-line which supplies power to transformers along the line to power the signal system.  A few cross arms were damaged as part of this tree coming down also.

In addition the roof on the shop suffered minor damage to a cap piece, and a few panals on Woods barn were pealed off as part of the storm.

Overall, we appeared to have weathered this major storm in fairly good shape.

At the present time, work is progressing to insure that the line is safe to turn the 600 volts back on for power to the line, and to do work to get the signal system back up and running.  Once it is safe, we will open for business.

My heart goes out to our sister museum in branford that suffered the brunt of the storm.  I wish them the best of luck.  It sounds like they will be back up and running for the labor day weekend.

Galen 

August 22, 2011

Hello everyone.

We have had a lot going on at the museum through the last few weeks.

We have begun the setup for Rails to the Darkside.  the walkway between the visitor center and  members road crossing was graded off and most of the posts were set for the walkway.  We have also built a wall to block off the view from this area to the front of the site using metal shelving units. 

Work has been continuing in the shop with one wheel now complete on 836's axle, and the second wheel started.  Once the second wheel is done, we will be reassembling the truck and testing 836.  We still have some flanges on other axles that are not the best, but we have addressed the worst flange in this round.  The plan is to put 836 back in service while we work on the Type 5 motors through the winter and into the spring.  Once the motors are completed for the type 5, then probably 1326 will come in for motor work.

Here are some pictures of the wheel work on 836.

This photo shows the completed wheel.  No more sharp flange. 

Work has begun on the second wheel.  We need to match the diameter of the other wheel.

Other work going on in the shop includes the compressor work for 355 .  It is tough to see, but the compressor is under the car.  some piping work is all that remains along with reinstallation of the running board brackets and boards.  Should see this car very soon unless we have more compressor problems.

For those who don't know him.  John Pellitier (pictured above) has been instrumental in keeping the cars running and making the repairs. 

For those looking to help out, we will be starting to set up Rails in earnest starting after the Labor Day weekend. 

Tim and Xian seem to always be up to something on the track.

Hope to see you at the museum soon.

Galen