Approved last month, the DRGW flatcar 6206 will be fitted with removable benches. It is intended the conversion will be done in time for the 2017 Old Threshers Reunion.
The bench assemblies will be anchored to the flatcar via the stake pockets. We needed a stake pocket as a pattern to make additional pockets for spares and to add to flatcar 6216. After removing a stake pocket, the attaching u-bolt was reconditioned and placed back into the flatcar side for safe keeping.
Brian B. instructs Alex M. in the fine art of "thread chasing." Some percussive action was necessary to liberate the stake pocket which in turn bungled the threads.
After the u-bolt was placed in the flatcar side, Alex replaces the nuts on the u-bolt. It will be much harder to lose the u-bolt if it is where it should be on the flatcar.
No. 16's flue removal project was completed this weekend. With the flues out of the boiler, some time was spent cleaning and inspecting its innards.
Removing the last set of flues.
Ryan F. went inside the boiler to begin the barrel cleaning process.
Inside the boiler, Dustin B. reaches for a bucket.
This is a bit more crust than we expected to see in front of the firebox.
Jesse V. removes flue stubble from the smokebox's flue sheet.
In anticipation of the 6206 benches, many artifacts stored on the flatcar had to be moved to the pallet shelves along the south wall of the South Station. A few items were blocking access and were moved out of the way.
The flatcar's new benches requires quite a load of lumber. Based on current "standard" lumber sizes, the stake pockets presented a problem which was easily resolved with custom sawing. Using his sawmill, Nelson S. converts several oak logs into usable stakes and other pieces for the benches.
About 1 year ago, we purchased a new bandsaw and found a home for the old saw. The two bandsaws were at different heights, so the materials table of the old saw was converted into a height suitable for the new saw. Several 3-roller sections of the old materials table were installed on tripod jacks.
The South Station will be expanded westward. The expansion necessitates realignment of the north lead into the building. The track was detached from the switch and pulled straight. The volunteers reset a bunch of ties in preparation for proper ballasting. Once the building's shell is complete the switch that used to service the north lead will be removed, rebuilt, installed along the main track, and connected to the north lead.
-Steam.airman
