Saturday August 28th 2010-
While 2 of our volunteers were going over the Alco Worlds Fair Cab display to fix the air horns-clogged baffles, a 3 man crew was hard at work moving the cribbing under the turntables motor frame assembly in order to get to the unprimed areas.
With this task accomplished, they set to work getting a coat of primer on quickly. As the day turned out quite warm, the primer dried in a few hours, so they were able to get a 2nd coat onto the area. They also were able to get 2 coats of primer on all of the brake assembly and platform brackets as well.
A few of our other volunteers were still going over parts inside the storage trailers in order to be able to put together as many sub-assemblies as possible to make it faster to reassemble #35's frame and drive train.
We had one of the locomotive rebuild contractors from Steam Operations Corp (Keith Muldowney) on hand to go over some measurements that were missed on the last visit and to review our progress on parts renewal and breakdowns.
WE (OBRM Volunteers) are on schedule and if the air compressor situation continues at this pace, we should be able to complete the needle scaling of the drive wheels/tender truck assemblies/locomotive frame by the end of November.
One of the drive wheel shas been completely stripped of paint on the outside.Next week the backside will be stripped of the primer that was applied when the new tires were installed, years ago.
We also picked up the rear end of #35's locomotive frame with our trusty forklift in order to move the cribbing underneath. This enabled us to get to the drawbar pin which had been rusted in place for years. We made sure to drain any standing water in the pocket, then we put a jack on a timber under the frame and applied upward force to the pin. From the top, we poured in a "creeping" oil known as "Kroil".
This stuff is amazing and should allow us to pop the pin over the course fo the next few weeks. Then the pin and the pin pocket will get polished while the drawbars will be removed, stripped and coated with cosmoline for long term storage.
Remember that while all of this work is being performed behind the barriers, we are also [color=#FF0000]open for business [/color]and have many familys and railfans visiting with us. Our docents are kept busy with these visitors and we are working diligently on our "SPEND A DAY IN OYSTER BAY" program.
MADDOG
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
A stellar performance-again!
An overcast day greeted me as I arrived at the display yard around 8am on Saturday 8-21-10.
I started up the forklift and let it warm up while I plotted the days goals.
Putting away the left side valve gear for #35 AND attempting to get the second coat of primer on the turntable motor frame assembly were my goals for the day.
Fortunately, volunteers (you gotta love 'em!) started arriving a t 8:30 and we were able to accomplish the first goal-valve gear relocation. While the foklift was running, I then put both pilot truck bearing box lock bars onto the work tables. These needed to be cleaned and coated: a simple task, but necessary.
I put a crew on the turntable frame painting and had another of our knowledgable volunteers working on the braking assembly. Many bolts needed to be removed as well as the various sizes of pins which had rotted cotter pins broken off inside of them.
Jeff worked all day getting all of the broken cotter pins removed and had all of the parts given to him completed. This was a dirty job, but he got it done.
At the same time. Paul worked on getting all of the brake assembly parts coated with 2 coats of EXTEND and ready for primer for next weeks work session.
The junior volunteers did a great job of primering the frame and finishing the pilot truck parts
As far as I can see, the pilot truck portion of the restoration has been completed.
Next week-
We will have Keith Muldowny from Steam Operations Corp (S.O.C) paying us a visit to check on our progression of parts renovation for #35.
S.O.C is the contractor for the rebuilding of #35 and as I have already stated-
The more work WE do up in Oyster Bay, the less work THEY (S.O.C) have to do in Alabama. This will translate to more restoration for the same amnount of money!
We plan on getting the painting done on the turntable frame assembly next Saturday and will assemble a new round of parts from #35 to be worked on.
If we can get an air compressor, we will perform paint the removal project on #35's drive wheels.
Gary
I started up the forklift and let it warm up while I plotted the days goals.
Putting away the left side valve gear for #35 AND attempting to get the second coat of primer on the turntable motor frame assembly were my goals for the day.
Fortunately, volunteers (you gotta love 'em!) started arriving a t 8:30 and we were able to accomplish the first goal-valve gear relocation. While the foklift was running, I then put both pilot truck bearing box lock bars onto the work tables. These needed to be cleaned and coated: a simple task, but necessary.
I put a crew on the turntable frame painting and had another of our knowledgable volunteers working on the braking assembly. Many bolts needed to be removed as well as the various sizes of pins which had rotted cotter pins broken off inside of them.
Jeff worked all day getting all of the broken cotter pins removed and had all of the parts given to him completed. This was a dirty job, but he got it done.
At the same time. Paul worked on getting all of the brake assembly parts coated with 2 coats of EXTEND and ready for primer for next weeks work session.
The junior volunteers did a great job of primering the frame and finishing the pilot truck parts
As far as I can see, the pilot truck portion of the restoration has been completed.
Next week-
We will have Keith Muldowny from Steam Operations Corp (S.O.C) paying us a visit to check on our progression of parts renovation for #35.
S.O.C is the contractor for the rebuilding of #35 and as I have already stated-
The more work WE do up in Oyster Bay, the less work THEY (S.O.C) have to do in Alabama. This will translate to more restoration for the same amnount of money!
We plan on getting the painting done on the turntable frame assembly next Saturday and will assemble a new round of parts from #35 to be worked on.
If we can get an air compressor, we will perform paint the removal project on #35's drive wheels.
Gary
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I''M BACK!!
HI folks-I am back to work! My wedding was wonderful and thank you all for your kind words.
But seriously folks-We had another GREAT day in Oyster Bay!!!
It started off very well and just got better.
We put away the right side valve gear assembly into storage and began work on the left side assembly.
This process was just like the drive rods. We had to remove all of the paint and grind down the surfaces of the parts to bring up their shine and remove all traces of paint & rust. This enables any inspector to see if there are any stress cracks forming which would render the part defective.
Fortunately, by the end of the day the volunteers were able to polish every part and coat them with COSMOLINE for long term storage.
At the same time, the other volunteers were busy at work putting a second coat of EXTEND rust converter onto the turntable motor frame. With the weather being warm & breezy, the extend dried in a couple of hours and they were able to get the first coat of primer onto the assembly. Next week we will get a second coat of primer on and I plan on lifting and re setting the assembly to allow the primer to be applied to the parts under the cribbing.
We will also start paint removal on the drive wheels.
BUT WAIT: THERE'S MORE!!!!!
As an added bonus to the day, OBRM President John Specce stopped by with a present.
#35's ORIGINAL Throttle handle.
Somehow, we were contacted by a gentleman who had it in his possession for some time. He knew about us and wanted to make sure that it was returned to #35 for its restoration.
How's THAT for a great moment in history??!!
Here it is on the tail of the parts trailer going left to right. The throttle grip is on the left side. On the right side is where it attaches to the rod in the cab.
Gary
But seriously folks-We had another GREAT day in Oyster Bay!!!
It started off very well and just got better.
We put away the right side valve gear assembly into storage and began work on the left side assembly.
This process was just like the drive rods. We had to remove all of the paint and grind down the surfaces of the parts to bring up their shine and remove all traces of paint & rust. This enables any inspector to see if there are any stress cracks forming which would render the part defective.
Fortunately, by the end of the day the volunteers were able to polish every part and coat them with COSMOLINE for long term storage.
BUT WAIT: THERE'S MORE!!!!!
As an added bonus to the day, OBRM President John Specce stopped by with a present.
#35's ORIGINAL Throttle handle.
Somehow, we were contacted by a gentleman who had it in his possession for some time. He knew about us and wanted to make sure that it was returned to #35 for its restoration.
How's THAT for a great moment in history??!!
Here it is on the tail of the parts trailer going left to right. The throttle grip is on the left side. On the right side is where it attaches to the rod in the cab.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Last Saturdays work session 7-31-10
A really beautiful day in Oyster Bay!
We arrived to find both sets of valve gear assemblies waiting to be worked on and we did not dissapoint!
I put two of our new volunteers to work removing paint and polishing up the right side assembly. After that was completed, they coated the rods with Cosmoline to prep it for a short stay outdoors before it is to be put into storage.
At the same time, we removed the last of the stubborn paint from the turntable motor frame assembly and applied a thick coat of Extend Rust converter. Right now the frame is a light black color, but after the next coat, it should be darker.
When we return to Oyster Bay on Saturday August 14th, we will complete the second coat and by the end of the day, we should have been able to apply the first of two primer coats. Grey is the color of choice!
Gary
We arrived to find both sets of valve gear assemblies waiting to be worked on and we did not dissapoint!
I put two of our new volunteers to work removing paint and polishing up the right side assembly. After that was completed, they coated the rods with Cosmoline to prep it for a short stay outdoors before it is to be put into storage.
At the same time, we removed the last of the stubborn paint from the turntable motor frame assembly and applied a thick coat of Extend Rust converter. Right now the frame is a light black color, but after the next coat, it should be darker.
When we return to Oyster Bay on Saturday August 14th, we will complete the second coat and by the end of the day, we should have been able to apply the first of two primer coats. Grey is the color of choice!
Gary
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Another Big day in Oy Bay!
Yesterday, we came back to a day that we wouldn't know if we could even work due to the impending storms.
At 8am I once again met up with Rich & Doug, then proceeded to put the two drive rods completed at the last work session into the storage trailer.
We then loaded the work benches with the last 2 drive rods for polishing.These 2 rods are the main rods from the left side which attach the steam cylinder piston rod to the drive wheels.
After our saftey talk, 2 of our younger volunteers busied themselves by polishing the drive rods, while the 3 of us "senior" volunteers opened up the sealed storage trailer to find the pins which attach all of the valve gear linkage & rods.
After a couple of hours worth of piecing together the left and right side parts. We were able to put together the entire valve train for both sides of #35. This may not seem like a lot to most people, but it truly was an accomplishment for us as we had to find the exact pins to fit the exact bushings and make sure that we DID NOT mix up the parts from left & right. Thankfully, we had a great side view of #35 near the turntable to work from.
We also had a few new volunteers join up as well and I hope that they find any time they spend working with us enjoyable and fun.
We called it quits around 2pm as the storm arrived.
Gary
At 8am I once again met up with Rich & Doug, then proceeded to put the two drive rods completed at the last work session into the storage trailer.
We then loaded the work benches with the last 2 drive rods for polishing.These 2 rods are the main rods from the left side which attach the steam cylinder piston rod to the drive wheels.
After our saftey talk, 2 of our younger volunteers busied themselves by polishing the drive rods, while the 3 of us "senior" volunteers opened up the sealed storage trailer to find the pins which attach all of the valve gear linkage & rods.
After a couple of hours worth of piecing together the left and right side parts. We were able to put together the entire valve train for both sides of #35. This may not seem like a lot to most people, but it truly was an accomplishment for us as we had to find the exact pins to fit the exact bushings and make sure that we DID NOT mix up the parts from left & right. Thankfully, we had a great side view of #35 near the turntable to work from.
We also had a few new volunteers join up as well and I hope that they find any time they spend working with us enjoyable and fun.
We called it quits around 2pm as the storm arrived.
Gary
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Hot fun in the Summertime
And let me tell you, it was HOT today. That's not the reason we only had a few hands available. It was a big volunteer firefighters day on L.I.
Many of our volunteers are volunteer firemen and they were busy with their respective departments.
That didn't stop us though!
Doug, Rich and I started the day at 8am. Our plan was to work on the drive axles.
Our Steam Locomotive Contractor, Steam Operations Corp., gave me a new list of "chores" to be accomplished so that they would be able to save (their) time & (our) money when the parts arrive in Birmingham Alabama.
We were to have scraped the axle centers clean of any dirt/grease/road grime, then wash the axles with kerosene to clean off any remainin dirt or grease. We then had to prime the axles so they would not rust up.
While this was going on, a new volunteer, Peter, whom I know as a fellow LI Sunrise Trail NRHS chapter member arrived around 10am.
His mom dropped him off and after my safety drill, we began to polish the drive rods that we started 2 weeks ago.Working for a couple of hours, we finished the first one and after a brief lunch, I gave him a tour of the equipment on site.
We then returned to work and finished up the 2nd drive rod when his parents came to pick him up.
Rich, Doug & I went over the rods one more time and fixed any spots that weren't polished. We then coated both rods with COSMOLINE, let them dry a bit in the sun, then put a tarp over them until we could load them into the parts trailer.
We will not be having a work session on Saturday July 3rd, so everyone can enjoy the holiday weekend with their families.
When we return on July 10th, we will start working on the last set of locomotive drive rods and we will be stamping the locomotive frame with reference numbers as indicated in our "list" of things to do.
We also hope to have an air compressor on site again so we can finish needle scaling the turntable motor frame and get a nice thick coat of EXTEND, a rust converter, onto it.
After that, 2 coats of primer and finally! 2 coats of paint, then installation.
Here is a photo of the drive rods I took when we first emptied them out from the trailer. You can see we are wearing coats, so it was NOT from todays work session!!
Big doings and BIG plans.
Come on down!!
Gary
Many of our volunteers are volunteer firemen and they were busy with their respective departments.
That didn't stop us though!
Doug, Rich and I started the day at 8am. Our plan was to work on the drive axles.
Our Steam Locomotive Contractor, Steam Operations Corp., gave me a new list of "chores" to be accomplished so that they would be able to save (their) time & (our) money when the parts arrive in Birmingham Alabama.
We were to have scraped the axle centers clean of any dirt/grease/road grime, then wash the axles with kerosene to clean off any remainin dirt or grease. We then had to prime the axles so they would not rust up.
While this was going on, a new volunteer, Peter, whom I know as a fellow LI Sunrise Trail NRHS chapter member arrived around 10am.
His mom dropped him off and after my safety drill, we began to polish the drive rods that we started 2 weeks ago.Working for a couple of hours, we finished the first one and after a brief lunch, I gave him a tour of the equipment on site.
We then returned to work and finished up the 2nd drive rod when his parents came to pick him up.
Rich, Doug & I went over the rods one more time and fixed any spots that weren't polished. We then coated both rods with COSMOLINE, let them dry a bit in the sun, then put a tarp over them until we could load them into the parts trailer.
We will not be having a work session on Saturday July 3rd, so everyone can enjoy the holiday weekend with their families.
When we return on July 10th, we will start working on the last set of locomotive drive rods and we will be stamping the locomotive frame with reference numbers as indicated in our "list" of things to do.
We also hope to have an air compressor on site again so we can finish needle scaling the turntable motor frame and get a nice thick coat of EXTEND, a rust converter, onto it.
After that, 2 coats of primer and finally! 2 coats of paint, then installation.
Here is a photo of the drive rods I took when we first emptied them out from the trailer. You can see we are wearing coats, so it was NOT from todays work session!!
Big doings and BIG plans.
Come on down!!
Gary
Sunday, June 20, 2010
My biggest Fan!
A day later than I expected- Yesterday, 6/19/10 Leon, Wayne, Paul and I went to BOONTON N.J., the home of many former LIRR Ping Pong coaches and a few other cars.
From what I gathered yesterday and through the years, These cars were brought down some 30 + years ago and were soon turned into a small shopping mall. A few of these cars had their vestibules welded together to form a weathertite entrance from 1 car to another. One was an ice cream parlor while 2 were a fashion shop for the ladies. I received an email a couple of weeks ago from John Zanone who is in charge of scrapping these cars. The ownership through the years has been convoluted but the last owner that we know of was Eric Strohmeyer who graciously allowed us to salvage the brake stand in the former brake test car.
We met up with John around 9am having left Oyster Bay at 7:20 for the 1+1/2 hour drive down. When we arrived, theere was a group from the NJ United Railway Historical Society salvaging wood and fixtures from a former CNJ Blue Comet observation car across the tracks.
We started right in removing the parts that we came down for.
A badly needed toilet (ok, bring on the crappy jokes) for our lavatory, a cup dispenser and trash chute, a porcelain cistern drain, a spare bathroom door window (stained glass for your pleasure), 3 luggage racks for spare parts, 1 sign holder for a friend, 25-40 lamp globes and fixtures for us-horsetrading-a friend, and FINALLY.......5 VERY HEAVY ceiling fans. It must have taken less time to remove all of the other parts than it did to remove these 5 fans.
We first had to figure out how to get to the 4 mounting bolts which took me almost an hour. Then we had the knock off years and layers of thick paint to get the collars knocked down to get to these 4 rusty nuts.
We then took about 40 minutes to remove 1 fan. The other 4 took us about 1/2 hour each, so that dragged our day until about 2pm. A quick 1/2 hour lunch and we were back on the road for our (supposed) 1+1/2 hour treck back to unload in Oyster Bay.
Paul & I made it back to Oyster Bay at 5pm while Leon &Wayne returned at 5:30. We unloaded and then went our own ways home.
A very long day for me-I was up at 5am, and a very dirty but satisfying day for all.
The only regrets we had were that there was NO WAY we could have salvaged the "owl eye" windows on the end walls as they were riveted with 1 inch rivets and we would have needed the plasma cutter and we had to pass up on 2 walkover seat frames as we ran out of room in our 2 vehicles!
I am posting a few shots that I took yesterday
Check out PHOTOBUCKET and look up my albums at THEWINEGUY35.
Gary
From what I gathered yesterday and through the years, These cars were brought down some 30 + years ago and were soon turned into a small shopping mall. A few of these cars had their vestibules welded together to form a weathertite entrance from 1 car to another. One was an ice cream parlor while 2 were a fashion shop for the ladies. I received an email a couple of weeks ago from John Zanone who is in charge of scrapping these cars. The ownership through the years has been convoluted but the last owner that we know of was Eric Strohmeyer who graciously allowed us to salvage the brake stand in the former brake test car.
We met up with John around 9am having left Oyster Bay at 7:20 for the 1+1/2 hour drive down. When we arrived, theere was a group from the NJ United Railway Historical Society salvaging wood and fixtures from a former CNJ Blue Comet observation car across the tracks.
We started right in removing the parts that we came down for.
A badly needed toilet (ok, bring on the crappy jokes) for our lavatory, a cup dispenser and trash chute, a porcelain cistern drain, a spare bathroom door window (stained glass for your pleasure), 3 luggage racks for spare parts, 1 sign holder for a friend, 25-40 lamp globes and fixtures for us-horsetrading-a friend, and FINALLY.......5 VERY HEAVY ceiling fans. It must have taken less time to remove all of the other parts than it did to remove these 5 fans.
We first had to figure out how to get to the 4 mounting bolts which took me almost an hour. Then we had the knock off years and layers of thick paint to get the collars knocked down to get to these 4 rusty nuts.
We then took about 40 minutes to remove 1 fan. The other 4 took us about 1/2 hour each, so that dragged our day until about 2pm. A quick 1/2 hour lunch and we were back on the road for our (supposed) 1+1/2 hour treck back to unload in Oyster Bay.
Paul & I made it back to Oyster Bay at 5pm while Leon &Wayne returned at 5:30. We unloaded and then went our own ways home.
A very long day for me-I was up at 5am, and a very dirty but satisfying day for all.
The only regrets we had were that there was NO WAY we could have salvaged the "owl eye" windows on the end walls as they were riveted with 1 inch rivets and we would have needed the plasma cutter and we had to pass up on 2 walkover seat frames as we ran out of room in our 2 vehicles!
I am posting a few shots that I took yesterday
Check out PHOTOBUCKET and look up my albums at THEWINEGUY35.
Gary
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