September 19, 2011

Hello Everyone

It has been a very busy September at the museum, with work progressing on many fronts.

Rails to the Darkside setup is now in full swing.  We have a number of new things planned for this year, and expect the event to be better then ever.  Anyone interested in helping to either scare people, work in operations, or assist in another way, please contact the museum office at 860-627-6540, or email me at gbs2600@comcast.net

Work is progressing in the shop on a number of fronts. 

355: The compressor work is completed, and is ready to return to service.

836:  the wheels on one axle are almost completed.  While we keep running into issues, we are close to completion and once this axle is completed, it will be put back into the truck and under the car.  We expect the car to be running during at least part of the Halloween season.  There is still work to be done on other wheels under 836, but we will at least have taken care of the serious issue. 

169:  Work is progressing to get this car looking decent. 

The intent of the shop work at this point is to finish and return 836 to service, then pull the type 5 into the shop to go back through the motors and get this car on 4 motors and also address the air leaks and other minor problems with the car.  The type 5 has been largely restored, and once the motors and other issues are addressed, it should be a good dependable water tight car for operations.  After the type 5 is in operations, we plan on removing 1326 from service and addressing its motor issues and also go through the trucks and do a thorough job on the trucks.  1326 may at that point be out of service for a year or so to allow a thorough jobe on the car.  Other work may include substantial wiring work on the car. 

The hope is still to return 65 to service for our 75th anniversary in 2015.  In reviewing the work required on 65, it is aniticipated that one end of the car will need to be disassembled, the knees straightened, and reconstructed.  This is very similar to the work done in around 1990 on 1326.  Wiring work may also be required at the least from the motors to the controllers on both ends.  Interior restoration of the wood work etc. along with the remaining work on the roof will also be required.

840 is also a project to fit in. This may be done before 1326 in order ot provide another open car to use, and would allow us to not use 1850 as much.

Maintenance work on the operating fleet is the first priority, and will continue to be done as required. 

As can be seen, the major projects for the shop are planned out to at least 2015.  things are subject to change as new information becomes available, or as priorities of the museum change.  The shop can always use more help.  If you are interested in helping, please let me know at the above email address. 

We have a lot going on especially now that special event season is upon us.  Hope you have a chance to come on down and help out a little.

Galen