August 2011 Work Weekend

Only a few more days until the 2011 Old Threshers' Reunion! You would have a hard time telling it from the casual attitude of the MCRR staff -- the cliche, "been there; done that" applies.

For starters at the August 2011 work weekend, a volunteer called to my attention this framed shot of the 6:















So much for the fun stuff...now to the tasks accomplished.

Last year, the boiler was removed from the 1's chassis for a closer look at the boiler mounts and other items hidden by the boiler. The boiler had been fastened to a DRGW flatcar since that time. One of today's chores was moving the boiler back to where it belongs (hahahaha...and not the scrap yard!).

The Pacha Crane Service crane, operated by Steve Pacha, owner, positions itself near the chassis - flatcar consist.















The MCRR staff assists Steve switch the crane's hook to a pulley/hook combination for lifting the heavy boiler off the flatcar.















Dave O. hooks some of the wire cable slings onto the crane's hook mechanism.















Positioning the slings near the boiler.






























Fishing the slings under the boiler.















The powerful crane easily lifts the boiler from the flatcar.






























A twist of the crane's base and the boiler is positioned over the chassis. Brian B. wonders about those safety shoes of another volunteer who is pushing the boiler into position. Steel toed sandals?















Within a few seconds the boiler was in position on the chassis.















Once the boiler move project was complete, the crane was moved to the west lot storage area. We needed to move a late 1800's turntable to repair a broken section of fence. Several members assisted Pacha Crane Service to remove the rails from the main turntable support beam.















Not satisfied with supervising the boiler move, Brian B. supervises the lifting of the curved turntable rails from the main support beam.






























Holding one of the sling ends, Brian B. awaits the repinning of the slings for further lifting of turntable parts.















The main support beam's pivot point is lifted away from the beam.















After much ado (and a swap of cranes!) the main support beam has been moved about 5 meters from its original position towards its new resting place.
















MCRR President Matt C. relays a message to the crane operator.

-steam.airman

It's a Good Sign!

In the past 10 months, several strong storms had changed our name from the "MIDWEST CENTRAL RAILROAD" to the "WEST CENTRAL RAILROAD", the "WEST CENT AILROAD" and finally to " ". (Well, the final change had some human assistance.)

Besides painting the shop building, the MCRR decided on a new sign with text and our logo for the north wall.

The middle portion of the sign...
















The tail end of the sign, along with the trailing logo, is added to the already installed center portion.
















Matt C. and Dan H. install the front portion of the sign.











































The finished sign.

-steam.airman
Photos courtesy Matt C.

Red not Yellow (updated 08 Aug 11)

Attention!

On your next visit to the MCRR -- don't be surprised if you drive past the MCRR Shop before you realize it.

This past week, the MCRR had contracted to have the shop building cleaned and painted. Instead of the chalky yellow of so many years, it is now red, matching the South Station -- and does it look sharp!

Here is a view from about 250 feet north of the shop facing south, which shows the building's north side. If you look closely, you can see the D-9 on the pit track and perhaps the Model "A" fireman's car on the middle track.














Standing about 200 feet north east of the shop looking towards the south west.














In a position very close to the above spot, this picture is facing due south showing the building's east side. For those that have "been here before" do you notice something missing? The thicket to the north of the entryway was removed -- partially for access to the wall for painting and partially because small animals used to get lost in there, never to be seen again!














One of the painters.














Wow! They even painted the fireproof cabinets. The cabinets used to be a weathered aluminum color.


























































This view is standing about 200 feet east of the building facing west showing the building's east side and main pedestrian entrance.














Standing southeast of the building facing northwest. This is a view of most of the building's south side.














This one may be a bit hard to make out; atop the freshly painted flag pole (see the Fourth of July entry) is a 36" American Eagle.



















After the bulk of the building's painting was complete, the crew returned to paint the trim.





























Trim paint completed, here is a view from the street west of McMillan Park looking towards the southeast.














The crew painted the hopper and tank cars. They had become rather "weathered" over the years and needed attention. The spur is along the west side of the shop building. This and the next view are looking east towards the building's west wall.





























This is the shop building's pedestrian entrance on the east wall. The deep green trim paint is evident on the door and canopy over the entryway.














The painting was performed by Cooper Gutter Service. Many thanks go to them for a professional job completed in a timely manner.

-steam.airman
Pictures courtesy Matt C.