Hi Everyone.
Things are moving along very nicely at the museum.
We had a great turnout to do track work in Kelly yard and 7 timbers were replaced. 6 more timbers still need to be completed, then the rail changed out, and the repair to the switch will be complete. It was a great chance for those interested in working on the track to learn from our members who are involved in the railroad industry. A lot of good training took place along with all that was accomplished.
Work in the shop is progressing well. The first motor for the type 5 was transported to a motor shop in bloomfield for an overhaul. Once this motor is returned, it will be traded out of the car for a second motor and so on until all 4 motors in the car have been overhauled. This will give us another larger capacity car in great condition that will be very dependable.
355 was reassembled, motors repacked with waste, and all maintenance work completed on Saturday, and the car moved back to Kelly barn for service. 451 is now in the shop for maintenance and to trouble shoot the delayed braking issues with the car.
Work on 836 is progressing. We have the motor ready for installation in the lathe, but need to machine the assembly that allows the motor to drive the belt on the lathe. Pat and John are working to get this done. We have also located the tracing attachment that we need to purchase and are working to get that to the museum. Once both of these projects are completed, we will be ready to jack and start work on the axles on 836.
On another front, we have started grading work to allow us to build the temporary track into the south side of the visitor center train shed. This will allow us to put 0206 back under cover along with 1739. As part of this grading work, fill is being placed in the area of the previous storage track adjacent to the single car barn which is required for the construction of the permanent track into the visitor center.
We had a really great turnout of volunteers this past Saturday, with a number of new faces. Because of this turnout, progress was made in many areas.
Coming up this coming Saturday, work will progress in the shop on 451, and work on the lathe.
We also will be progressing with work on getting the trackage into the visitor center.
I suspect work will also continue on Kelly yard track repairs.
Anyone interested in helping out, please email me or come on down on Saturday. We have plenty to do, and hope to keep up the wonderful progress we are making this year.
Galen
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
April 5, 2011
Hello everyone
We had a very successful day on Saturday and accomplished a lot.
The motor for the lathe was removed from the box car, moved into the shop, cleaned out of a few mice nests, tested and is almost ready for installation to run the lathe. We have some minor machining work to do to allow the motor to be installed.
We are also looking into purchasing a tracing tool for the lathe that should help speed up the work on the wheels.
As soon as we are all set with the lathe, we will be jacking up 836 to do her motor.
Work has continued on 355 with the compressor now completed. The running boards need to be reinstalled that were removed to allow work to occur on the compressor, and routine maintenance needs to be completed. The goal is to complete this work and move 355 out of the shop this weekend and release her for service. 451 will then be moved into the shop to work on her.
There will be a lot happening this coming Saturday (04/09/11).
Work as always will be occuring in the shop. Maintenance work on 355, will be the main focus.
The track department will be starting work on repairing the broken joint in Kelly yard. Ties will be replaced along with 1 rail.
Please consider coming down to help out. If you are not sure how you can help, please email me and we can talk about your interests.
For anyone interested, the next Directors meeting is on April 13, 2011 and the meetings are open to everyone.
Galen
We had a very successful day on Saturday and accomplished a lot.
The motor for the lathe was removed from the box car, moved into the shop, cleaned out of a few mice nests, tested and is almost ready for installation to run the lathe. We have some minor machining work to do to allow the motor to be installed.
We are also looking into purchasing a tracing tool for the lathe that should help speed up the work on the wheels.
As soon as we are all set with the lathe, we will be jacking up 836 to do her motor.
Work has continued on 355 with the compressor now completed. The running boards need to be reinstalled that were removed to allow work to occur on the compressor, and routine maintenance needs to be completed. The goal is to complete this work and move 355 out of the shop this weekend and release her for service. 451 will then be moved into the shop to work on her.
There will be a lot happening this coming Saturday (04/09/11).
Work as always will be occuring in the shop. Maintenance work on 355, will be the main focus.
The track department will be starting work on repairing the broken joint in Kelly yard. Ties will be replaced along with 1 rail.
Please consider coming down to help out. If you are not sure how you can help, please email me and we can talk about your interests.
For anyone interested, the next Directors meeting is on April 13, 2011 and the meetings are open to everyone.
Galen
Sunday, March 27, 2011
March 27, 2011
We are less then 1 week away from opening day and things have certainly been happening at the museum. This past weekend, I was happy to see so many of our regular motormen back for spring certification, and a few new faces this weekend.
The shop has been making wonderful progress this year dispite the weather. So much cleaning and coordinating of the materials in the shop has really helped allow work to now progress. 2600 is now out of the shop and in service. We still have some minor air leaks and other items to address, but these can be taken care of once some other projects are completed. We have got the compressor armature for 355 back, and I heard that John has already installed and tested the compressor. Once he finished buttoning up the compressor, we can service 355 and put her back in service.
The other big news is that 836 has been moved into the shop. I think we have a consensus on doing the wheel work on her in-house. In order to do this, we have a couple of big projects. First up is getting the wheel lathe back into service. The motor in the wheel lathe was used in 5645, so now we need to pull a spare motor we have in the chessie box car out and install in the lathe. Once the wheel lathe is operational, we will jack the west end of 836 and pull the truck out with the worst wheel flange, disassemble the truck and put the wheels in the lathe for turning.
I hope to have the lathe in operation and the wheels in the lathe by the end of April. Anyone who wants to help, please let me know. I had the pleasure of working with a new volunteer (Russ) this past Saturday, and one extra set of hands helping was a real help. This coming Saturday we will have some heavy lifting and moving of materials inside the Chessie to get the motor out, and then some work to get the motor installed in the lathe.
We will also need help in oiling, greasing etc. on 355 this coming Saturday.
For those who don't want to get that dirty, there is still some light work to do around the visitor center. We also need to move the Halloween materials out of the Northern into storage. This had to wait for all the winterfest materials to be put away since we need to get to the Halloween materials first.
I am looking forward to another great year at the museum. I think we will be seeing alot of progress this year. Come on down and get involved. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Galen
The shop has been making wonderful progress this year dispite the weather. So much cleaning and coordinating of the materials in the shop has really helped allow work to now progress. 2600 is now out of the shop and in service. We still have some minor air leaks and other items to address, but these can be taken care of once some other projects are completed. We have got the compressor armature for 355 back, and I heard that John has already installed and tested the compressor. Once he finished buttoning up the compressor, we can service 355 and put her back in service.
The other big news is that 836 has been moved into the shop. I think we have a consensus on doing the wheel work on her in-house. In order to do this, we have a couple of big projects. First up is getting the wheel lathe back into service. The motor in the wheel lathe was used in 5645, so now we need to pull a spare motor we have in the chessie box car out and install in the lathe. Once the wheel lathe is operational, we will jack the west end of 836 and pull the truck out with the worst wheel flange, disassemble the truck and put the wheels in the lathe for turning.
I hope to have the lathe in operation and the wheels in the lathe by the end of April. Anyone who wants to help, please let me know. I had the pleasure of working with a new volunteer (Russ) this past Saturday, and one extra set of hands helping was a real help. This coming Saturday we will have some heavy lifting and moving of materials inside the Chessie to get the motor out, and then some work to get the motor installed in the lathe.
We will also need help in oiling, greasing etc. on 355 this coming Saturday.
For those who don't want to get that dirty, there is still some light work to do around the visitor center. We also need to move the Halloween materials out of the Northern into storage. This had to wait for all the winterfest materials to be put away since we need to get to the Halloween materials first.
I am looking forward to another great year at the museum. I think we will be seeing alot of progress this year. Come on down and get involved. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding.
Galen
Sunday, March 20, 2011
March 20,2011
Hello Everyone
We have made some good progress in the last few weeks, though we still have much to do before opening day on April 2.
2600 is now back on its truck with the 4th motor installed. We have not switched it out of the shop yet to do a test run, though it seemed to run fine within the shop.
This coming Saturday (3/26/11), the plan is to switch 2600 out and 836 into the shop early in the day before operator certification starts. 2600 will then be checked out and hopefully released for operations.
The plan is for work to commence immediately on 836. The car will be jacked up and one truck removed and dis-assembled. The wheels with the sharp flanges will be turned down on the lathe in the shop, misc. bearing and other work completed, and then the truck reassembled and reinstalled. Once both trucks are completed, the car should be ready to reenter operations some time this year. As part of the process, we need to reinstall the motor on the big lathe in the shop.
Work will need to continue inside the visitor center to make one last push to finish cleaning up, putting everything from Winterfest away, and putting the visitor center into shape for the start of operations.
Other work needs to be done around the property including putting up the fencing, greasing the track for the beginning of operations, cleaning cars etc.
We will need to get a lot accomplished on 3/26/11, so anyone who can come down and help, it would be appreciated. See you then
Galen
We have made some good progress in the last few weeks, though we still have much to do before opening day on April 2.
2600 is now back on its truck with the 4th motor installed. We have not switched it out of the shop yet to do a test run, though it seemed to run fine within the shop.
This coming Saturday (3/26/11), the plan is to switch 2600 out and 836 into the shop early in the day before operator certification starts. 2600 will then be checked out and hopefully released for operations.
The plan is for work to commence immediately on 836. The car will be jacked up and one truck removed and dis-assembled. The wheels with the sharp flanges will be turned down on the lathe in the shop, misc. bearing and other work completed, and then the truck reassembled and reinstalled. Once both trucks are completed, the car should be ready to reenter operations some time this year. As part of the process, we need to reinstall the motor on the big lathe in the shop.
Work will need to continue inside the visitor center to make one last push to finish cleaning up, putting everything from Winterfest away, and putting the visitor center into shape for the start of operations.
Other work needs to be done around the property including putting up the fencing, greasing the track for the beginning of operations, cleaning cars etc.
We will need to get a lot accomplished on 3/26/11, so anyone who can come down and help, it would be appreciated. See you then
Galen
Monday, March 14, 2011
March 14, 2011
Hello Everyone
Well this spring is shaping up to be an unusually busy spring.
Work is progressing inside the visitor center, though there is still much to do before opening day in less then 3 weeks. The last of the winterfest materials need to be put away, cars cleaned, floors swept, displays cleaned and set up etc. Tim is planning on working again next Saturday, so if you have some time, please come down and help.
Work on 2600 will be progressing next Saturday as well. The car this past Saturday has been jacked up, the truck disconnected and rolled out. The motor was re-assembled, and installed in the truck. Other work on the truck included replacing two brake shoes, greasing the brake rigging, and repacking one motor's armature and motor support bearings.
Work remaining before the truck can be re-installed includes completing the mounting of the motor support bearings, repacking the second motor's bearings, and installing the gear cases. The plan is to complete this work and re-install the truck next Saturday (3/19/11). After final winter maintenance is completed, 2600 will be ready for opening day.
Thanks to Roger P. and Brian S. who helped jack the car up. Their help allowed John to work on the motor while the jacking was being done, so much progress was made.
For those who haven't been in the shop lately, I encourage you to come out to see the great job of cleaning up the shop that has occured. While we still have some work to do, it is almost a joy to work in the shop now.
Coming up this spring, we will be having a flea market on May 21, with a rain date of June 4. Anyone who is interested in helping out that day, please let either myself or Carol know. We hopefully will have big crowds that day.
Also planned this Summer are Farmers markets to be held at the museum. Todd Chichoine is organizing these events.
Watch soon for more breaking news.
Galen
Well this spring is shaping up to be an unusually busy spring.
Work is progressing inside the visitor center, though there is still much to do before opening day in less then 3 weeks. The last of the winterfest materials need to be put away, cars cleaned, floors swept, displays cleaned and set up etc. Tim is planning on working again next Saturday, so if you have some time, please come down and help.
Work on 2600 will be progressing next Saturday as well. The car this past Saturday has been jacked up, the truck disconnected and rolled out. The motor was re-assembled, and installed in the truck. Other work on the truck included replacing two brake shoes, greasing the brake rigging, and repacking one motor's armature and motor support bearings.
Work remaining before the truck can be re-installed includes completing the mounting of the motor support bearings, repacking the second motor's bearings, and installing the gear cases. The plan is to complete this work and re-install the truck next Saturday (3/19/11). After final winter maintenance is completed, 2600 will be ready for opening day.
Thanks to Roger P. and Brian S. who helped jack the car up. Their help allowed John to work on the motor while the jacking was being done, so much progress was made.
For those who haven't been in the shop lately, I encourage you to come out to see the great job of cleaning up the shop that has occured. While we still have some work to do, it is almost a joy to work in the shop now.
Coming up this spring, we will be having a flea market on May 21, with a rain date of June 4. Anyone who is interested in helping out that day, please let either myself or Carol know. We hopefully will have big crowds that day.
Also planned this Summer are Farmers markets to be held at the museum. Todd Chichoine is organizing these events.
Watch soon for more breaking news.
Galen
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7, 2011
Hi All
It was another busy day at the museum this last Saturday.
There is still some Christmas decorations to take down inside the visitor center, though most of the materials including much of the train displays were packed up this last weekend and put in the trailers. Work is weather dependent, but hopefully we can work to finish up packing up winterfest this coming Saturday and start arranging the visitor center.
Pat worked on the machining of the motor bearing for 2600, so we are on target to jack 2600 this coming Saturday. Anyone interested in helping out, let me know. I need 3-4 able bodied people to help with the disconnecting of the brake rigging and motors, jacking, handling blocking etc. We will also need help re-assembling the motor to reinstall. Work should be underway by 9:00 A.M.
For anyone interested, the monthly Directors meeting is this coming Wednesday (3/9/11) at 6:30 in the library at the visitor center. Everyone is welcome to come.
Galen
It was another busy day at the museum this last Saturday.
There is still some Christmas decorations to take down inside the visitor center, though most of the materials including much of the train displays were packed up this last weekend and put in the trailers. Work is weather dependent, but hopefully we can work to finish up packing up winterfest this coming Saturday and start arranging the visitor center.
Pat worked on the machining of the motor bearing for 2600, so we are on target to jack 2600 this coming Saturday. Anyone interested in helping out, let me know. I need 3-4 able bodied people to help with the disconnecting of the brake rigging and motors, jacking, handling blocking etc. We will also need help re-assembling the motor to reinstall. Work should be underway by 9:00 A.M.
For anyone interested, the monthly Directors meeting is this coming Wednesday (3/9/11) at 6:30 in the library at the visitor center. Everyone is welcome to come.
Galen
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2, 2011
Hi All
Well things are starting to pick up at the museum, with a few things going on this weekend.
First, the hope is to be moving some of the Winterfest material into the trailers this Saturday. Tim and George are going to be coordinating this work. Not sure if they will be at the museum early, so figure on help being needed later morning and afternoon.
We are just about ready to jack 2600 and pull the truck. The motor is not back togeather, so we will play it by ear this weekend whether we will proceed or wait one more week.
On another note, nominations to the board of directors need to be in within the next two weeks or so. If you think you would be interested in serving on the board, we need directors who can help the museum move forward and see the big picture. On typical boards, the directors main objective is to help the museum raise money. Here at the trolley museum, due to the high level of involvement that is required by the members to keep the museum running, we need directors that can not only help the museum raise money, but have the knowledge to help steer the museum in the right direction.
If you think you have the ability to help the museum move forward, I encourage you to run for the board of directors.
Other on-going work includes cleaning and straightening up the shop which has taken tremendous strides forward in the last few months despite the cold.
There is a lot going on this year. Hope you all can get involved and help out, and have some fun.
Galen
Well things are starting to pick up at the museum, with a few things going on this weekend.
First, the hope is to be moving some of the Winterfest material into the trailers this Saturday. Tim and George are going to be coordinating this work. Not sure if they will be at the museum early, so figure on help being needed later morning and afternoon.
We are just about ready to jack 2600 and pull the truck. The motor is not back togeather, so we will play it by ear this weekend whether we will proceed or wait one more week.
On another note, nominations to the board of directors need to be in within the next two weeks or so. If you think you would be interested in serving on the board, we need directors who can help the museum move forward and see the big picture. On typical boards, the directors main objective is to help the museum raise money. Here at the trolley museum, due to the high level of involvement that is required by the members to keep the museum running, we need directors that can not only help the museum raise money, but have the knowledge to help steer the museum in the right direction.
If you think you have the ability to help the museum move forward, I encourage you to run for the board of directors.
Other on-going work includes cleaning and straightening up the shop which has taken tremendous strides forward in the last few months despite the cold.
There is a lot going on this year. Hope you all can get involved and help out, and have some fun.
Galen
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