Hello Everyone
We had a good weekend this past weekend with work getting accomplished throughout the museum. In the shop on Saturday, it was a mixed bag. Work was interupted to fix motor leads on both 4 and 1850. Both cars were repaired and returned to service. 2 different compressors were brought in to the shop for servicing. One of the two will be used for 355.
Work continued on the lathe setup with most of the tracing attachment now mounted on the lathe. Welding was done on the mounting base. We are now so close to finally starting to turn the wheels for 836.
A while back we agreed to give one of the electric trolley buses to another museum in exchange for shipping trolley car wheels (16 new wheels) from the west coast to us. Work started on getting the bus raised up to mount the tires on which will allow the bus to be loaded on a trailer and moved out of the museum. We still have two other trolley buses, with one presently in the collection and the second for parts.
65 has been sitting in the visitor center for some time with very intermittent work occuring on her. In order to help expedite this project, and at the same time get our restoration program back on track, I am taking on 65 as a project. My hope is to get as many people involved in the project that I can. While 65 will not be a complete restoration project, we will be restoring the interior of the car to look as good as we can reasonably accomplish. The remaining interior woodwork that has not been refinished will be, the seats bases cleaned up and painted, seats recovered in new rattan, etc.
I am going to be scheduling work days for this project (roughly once every 3-4 weeks), with the first day being Saturday July 9, 2011. I will be at the museum by 8:00 A.M., and plan a number of projects for that day. We have woodwork to do on the roof still, along with the removal of the interior seats, which will allow us room to work on the interior woodwork. While we certainly want this car in service for our 75th anniversary in 2015, I am optimistic we will have the car in service well before then. I will be going through my email lists to contact people who have expressed interest in working on the car previously, but please, if you are interested contact the museum office and let us know, or email me. I will be compiling an email list of people to help keep everyone up to date on work.
Also, planning has begun on Rails to the Darkside. We can always use more help, particularly more adults in the visitor center. If you are interested in helping out, please contact either myself or the office.
Take care and enjoy the warm weather.
Galen
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
June 12, 2011
Hello Everyone
Well we have had a very productive week this past week, with a lot being accomplished at the museum
1850 was switched out of Woods barn and brought up to the shop, gone over and is now back in Kelly barn and in service. To make room for 451 back in Kelly barn, the Type 5 was switched to Woods barn. We have one motor over at the motor shop for the Type 5, with the expectation of going through and having all the motors shopped so that the car will be 100%.
We also moved a couple of air compressors into the shop. One of the compressors will be for 355, which developed additional problems after we had the armature shopped for her.
4 was moved into the shop in order to go through her completely, and also to remove her line switch for repair. We should see 4 back in service soon.
Work is progressing on the mount for the tracing tool attachment for the lathe.
The temporary track was completed this week, and 0206 was moved under cover of the train shed next to 1739.
Work is progressing on making the compromise joint bars for the Kelly yard track.
All in all, a very productive week at the museum.
This coming week, we will be doing work in the shop on 4 including routine maintenance, and work on the line switch. Also, work will be done on 355 compressor. I'm sure other projects will be underway this coming Saturday also.
Also, on June 18th, Larry will be holding a meeting regarding the day of caring. Anyone interested in helping out that day, it is a great way to get a lot of labor to get a project done. Last year, we did a lot of landscape work around the visitor center including the front paver section along with a number of other projects. If you are interested, please come on down for the meeting.
I will be working to organize the work efforts on 65. My hope is to have 1-2 Saturday's a month work party on the car. Initially I will need the help of wood workers/carpenters who have some experience. There is still work to do on the roof fitting in wood for repairs. We are still working out the extents of the project, but there will be a lot of other work to do with refinishing of wood on the inside of the car, paint touch up, seat repairs and recovering of the seats, seat frame scraping and repainting etc. Anyone interested in helping out perhaps one Saturday a month, please contact me and I will put you on an email contact list for letting you know when work will occur. Work will continue to occur within the visitor center, and while we need to make certain concessions in order to accomodate the public when we are open, I plan on using the project as an educational tool for the public.
Thanks to everyone who came down to the museum this past Saturday on such a wet day and especially to those who worked in the mud and rain to get so much accomplished.
Galen
Well we have had a very productive week this past week, with a lot being accomplished at the museum
1850 was switched out of Woods barn and brought up to the shop, gone over and is now back in Kelly barn and in service. To make room for 451 back in Kelly barn, the Type 5 was switched to Woods barn. We have one motor over at the motor shop for the Type 5, with the expectation of going through and having all the motors shopped so that the car will be 100%.
We also moved a couple of air compressors into the shop. One of the compressors will be for 355, which developed additional problems after we had the armature shopped for her.
4 was moved into the shop in order to go through her completely, and also to remove her line switch for repair. We should see 4 back in service soon.
Work is progressing on the mount for the tracing tool attachment for the lathe.
The temporary track was completed this week, and 0206 was moved under cover of the train shed next to 1739.
Work is progressing on making the compromise joint bars for the Kelly yard track.
All in all, a very productive week at the museum.
This coming week, we will be doing work in the shop on 4 including routine maintenance, and work on the line switch. Also, work will be done on 355 compressor. I'm sure other projects will be underway this coming Saturday also.
Also, on June 18th, Larry will be holding a meeting regarding the day of caring. Anyone interested in helping out that day, it is a great way to get a lot of labor to get a project done. Last year, we did a lot of landscape work around the visitor center including the front paver section along with a number of other projects. If you are interested, please come on down for the meeting.
I will be working to organize the work efforts on 65. My hope is to have 1-2 Saturday's a month work party on the car. Initially I will need the help of wood workers/carpenters who have some experience. There is still work to do on the roof fitting in wood for repairs. We are still working out the extents of the project, but there will be a lot of other work to do with refinishing of wood on the inside of the car, paint touch up, seat repairs and recovering of the seats, seat frame scraping and repainting etc. Anyone interested in helping out perhaps one Saturday a month, please contact me and I will put you on an email contact list for letting you know when work will occur. Work will continue to occur within the visitor center, and while we need to make certain concessions in order to accomodate the public when we are open, I plan on using the project as an educational tool for the public.
Thanks to everyone who came down to the museum this past Saturday on such a wet day and especially to those who worked in the mud and rain to get so much accomplished.
Galen
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June 5, 2011
Hello Everyone.
Well we were able to accomplish a few things yesterday at the museum
1739 is now under the train shed, and the track was moved over to allow completion of the track to moved 0206 under next.
451 is now back in service, with the brakes working much better then before. Some body work has been completed and some work on the doors has also been done.
Pat is progressing on the machining work for the mount for the tracing tool for the big lathe that will allow us to complete 836's wheels. It looks like possibly as early as next weekend, the mount for the lathe will be ready to weld togeather and install. We are all anxiously waiting for that first cut on the wheels.
355 unfortunately has developed additional problems with her compressor. It appears that there are additional issues with the armature. The plans now are to service one of the spare compressors and install it until such time that we can fully rebuild the origonal style of compressor for 355.
This coming weekend, it is hoped to finish the track and move 0206 under cover. Once this is done, we will be putting even more emphasis on work on the trolley cars that are presently in operation. Work this coming weekend on trolleys will include work on 355 and her compressor. We also hope to move 1850 back to Kelly Barn and switch it with the Type 5. Once 1850 is serviced, she can also be put back into active service
We also had our first Rails to the Darkside meeting this Saturday. We have some good discussions, and have some really imaginative new ideas that we hope to have for this years event.
Anyone who is interested in helping out, please contact either myself or the museum office. We have accomplished much already this year, but have a lot more to get done.
Galen
Well we were able to accomplish a few things yesterday at the museum
1739 is now under the train shed, and the track was moved over to allow completion of the track to moved 0206 under next.
451 is now back in service, with the brakes working much better then before. Some body work has been completed and some work on the doors has also been done.
Pat is progressing on the machining work for the mount for the tracing tool for the big lathe that will allow us to complete 836's wheels. It looks like possibly as early as next weekend, the mount for the lathe will be ready to weld togeather and install. We are all anxiously waiting for that first cut on the wheels.
355 unfortunately has developed additional problems with her compressor. It appears that there are additional issues with the armature. The plans now are to service one of the spare compressors and install it until such time that we can fully rebuild the origonal style of compressor for 355.
This coming weekend, it is hoped to finish the track and move 0206 under cover. Once this is done, we will be putting even more emphasis on work on the trolley cars that are presently in operation. Work this coming weekend on trolleys will include work on 355 and her compressor. We also hope to move 1850 back to Kelly Barn and switch it with the Type 5. Once 1850 is serviced, she can also be put back into active service
We also had our first Rails to the Darkside meeting this Saturday. We have some good discussions, and have some really imaginative new ideas that we hope to have for this years event.
Anyone who is interested in helping out, please contact either myself or the museum office. We have accomplished much already this year, but have a lot more to get done.
Galen
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 3,2011
We made great progress last weekend both on the temporary trackage to the visitor center and in the shop. As you can see, the wheels for 836 are now in the lathe. The work is progressing on fabricating the support structure for the tracing attachment, so we should see work on the wheels progressing soon. Getting this far involved a lot of work including modifying and setting up the gantry crane (yellow), getting the lathe running and moving the chuck over from the lower to upper position. thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to keep this project moving forward.
Hopefully this Saturday, we will be moving 1739 under cover and then moving the track over to put 0206 under cover in the train shed.
Other work this weekend will include shop work on probably 355 to check the compressor.
As always, anyone who has a few hours, we can always use help.
Galen
Monday, May 23, 2011
May 23, 2011
Hello Everyone
Well the flea market is now behind us, and we can concentrate on proceeding with some of the projects on our plate. Thanks to everyone who came out to help with the flea market. While we had a few hickups, the event went well with everyone pitching in and doing what was needed to make it work.
George Contrada and Xian Clere have begun work on the Mansfield Caboose. Anyone interested in helping him, please contact either George or Xian. This should be an interesting project, especially for those who enjoy woodwork.
Out in the shop, work is progressing on body work on 451, and on the mounting of the new tracing attachment to the lathe in the shop. Anyone interested in work in the shop, please contact either myself or John Pelletier.
I plan on getting back to track work this coming Saturday down in front of the visitor center. Most of the ties have been laid out, and rail layed out. Now we need to put it togeather so that we can move 1739 and 0206 under cover. Anyone interested in helping out, please come on down this Saturday.
Looking forward to better weather and seeing what we can get done in the coming weeks. Take care and hope to see you at the museum.
Galen
Well the flea market is now behind us, and we can concentrate on proceeding with some of the projects on our plate. Thanks to everyone who came out to help with the flea market. While we had a few hickups, the event went well with everyone pitching in and doing what was needed to make it work.
George Contrada and Xian Clere have begun work on the Mansfield Caboose. Anyone interested in helping him, please contact either George or Xian. This should be an interesting project, especially for those who enjoy woodwork.
Out in the shop, work is progressing on body work on 451, and on the mounting of the new tracing attachment to the lathe in the shop. Anyone interested in work in the shop, please contact either myself or John Pelletier.
I plan on getting back to track work this coming Saturday down in front of the visitor center. Most of the ties have been laid out, and rail layed out. Now we need to put it togeather so that we can move 1739 and 0206 under cover. Anyone interested in helping out, please come on down this Saturday.
Looking forward to better weather and seeing what we can get done in the coming weeks. Take care and hope to see you at the museum.
Galen
Sunday, May 15, 2011
May 15, 2011
Hi Everyone
Well we made some excellent progress this last weekend at the museum.
Over the previous week, Xian and his crew installed the new rail in Kelly yard and on Saturday was able to drill and re-install the guard rail. There is still some work to do, but overall it is very close to completion. Great job.
Up in the shop, the large lathe is now running again. For those who are not familiar with the shop, the large lathe is a 22' long lathe that is large enough to turn entire wheel sets (wheels on axles). The motor was installed last weekend, and was hooked up and tested. We had some problems with the control equipment for the motor, but through some creative engineering, have developed a solution to allow the lathe to operate safely while we figure out the issues with the control equipment. We still have some machine work to make a tool holder for the new tracing tool, but are very close to the point of actually starting to turn the wheels for 836. We have also installed the gantry crane system over the lathe on Saturday, so we are not set to install the axle in the lathe. A lot of work has gone into making the lathe operational, and thanks go out to Pat, Chris and John for all their hard work on getting us to this point.
Next Saturday (May 21) is the Flea Market. We expect a lot of people will be coming to this event. Anyone who can help, we can use people to help park cars, crowd control to make sure no one gets in front of a trolley car, etc. Please contact either myself or Carol, or come on down on Saturday. The flea market starts at 8:00 A.M.
A lot of grading, tree clearing etc. has been occuring at the museum, so thanks to everyone helping out in this endeavor.
Galen
Well we made some excellent progress this last weekend at the museum.
Over the previous week, Xian and his crew installed the new rail in Kelly yard and on Saturday was able to drill and re-install the guard rail. There is still some work to do, but overall it is very close to completion. Great job.
Up in the shop, the large lathe is now running again. For those who are not familiar with the shop, the large lathe is a 22' long lathe that is large enough to turn entire wheel sets (wheels on axles). The motor was installed last weekend, and was hooked up and tested. We had some problems with the control equipment for the motor, but through some creative engineering, have developed a solution to allow the lathe to operate safely while we figure out the issues with the control equipment. We still have some machine work to make a tool holder for the new tracing tool, but are very close to the point of actually starting to turn the wheels for 836. We have also installed the gantry crane system over the lathe on Saturday, so we are not set to install the axle in the lathe. A lot of work has gone into making the lathe operational, and thanks go out to Pat, Chris and John for all their hard work on getting us to this point.
Next Saturday (May 21) is the Flea Market. We expect a lot of people will be coming to this event. Anyone who can help, we can use people to help park cars, crowd control to make sure no one gets in front of a trolley car, etc. Please contact either myself or Carol, or come on down on Saturday. The flea market starts at 8:00 A.M.
A lot of grading, tree clearing etc. has been occuring at the museum, so thanks to everyone helping out in this endeavor.
Galen
Monday, May 9, 2011
May 9, 2011
Hello Everyone
Well we have had a few busy weeks, with a lot happening all over the museum.
In the shop, 451 is waiting for some final adjustments and she should be back in service soon.
We now have the tracing attachment for the lathe in the shop, and last I heard, the motor has been installed in the lathe. Hopefully the lathe will be under power this coming weekend. Once that is done and the gantry is set up, we will be ready to load the wheels from 836 and start working to get them turned.
Some more progress has been made to get the temporary track completed so that we can move 1739 and 0206 under cover in the train shed.
The annual meeting diverted some efforts last weekend, so we should be getting back on track to get the shop and track projects going again this coming weekend.
The annual meeting and the check ceremony for the donation from the WLPA for the caboose and Isle of Safety was a great success. We were visited by the East Windsor Selectmen for the ceremony.
Coming up in two weeks (May 21) we have the flea market. Anyone interested in helping out that day, please contact either myself, Tim, Xian, or the office.
Coming up in July, we have a barbeque planned on July 27. For information or tickets, please see Morgan or contact the office. Morgan is a newer member who has taken on the position of events coordinator.
Also, if you see something around the museum that you feel should be done, and are willing to roll up your sleeves and lead the effort, please feel free to contact either myself or Carol in the office and we can help get things rolling.
We have a lot happening at the museum. Please feel free to drop on down and see for yourself and perhaps help out for a few hours.
Galen
Well we have had a few busy weeks, with a lot happening all over the museum.
In the shop, 451 is waiting for some final adjustments and she should be back in service soon.
We now have the tracing attachment for the lathe in the shop, and last I heard, the motor has been installed in the lathe. Hopefully the lathe will be under power this coming weekend. Once that is done and the gantry is set up, we will be ready to load the wheels from 836 and start working to get them turned.
Some more progress has been made to get the temporary track completed so that we can move 1739 and 0206 under cover in the train shed.
The annual meeting diverted some efforts last weekend, so we should be getting back on track to get the shop and track projects going again this coming weekend.
The annual meeting and the check ceremony for the donation from the WLPA for the caboose and Isle of Safety was a great success. We were visited by the East Windsor Selectmen for the ceremony.
Coming up in two weeks (May 21) we have the flea market. Anyone interested in helping out that day, please contact either myself, Tim, Xian, or the office.
Coming up in July, we have a barbeque planned on July 27. For information or tickets, please see Morgan or contact the office. Morgan is a newer member who has taken on the position of events coordinator.
Also, if you see something around the museum that you feel should be done, and are willing to roll up your sleeves and lead the effort, please feel free to contact either myself or Carol in the office and we can help get things rolling.
We have a lot happening at the museum. Please feel free to drop on down and see for yourself and perhaps help out for a few hours.
Galen
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