Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
"Independence Day" Holiday Weekend (16/7 update)
Several weeks ago the flatcar staff installed the 6 stringers, 2 end beams, truss rods, and numerous fittings.During the Independence Day holiday weekend, the last of the fittings were installed and final assembly began.
Once all the fittings were installed the flatcar was towed outside. Jesse V watches while Griffin W. runs the skid steer.
Paul K. applies some primer to hard to reach places with a "rattle can."
Griffin W applies the final coat of paint to the stringers and truss rods with his airless sprayer.
With the paint dry, the staff installed the 2" rough sawn decking. Every board was a different length which required a chalk line and a circular saw to correct. "Master craftsman" Elliot H. (hey! that's me!) is shown here plunging the blade into decking (and the occasional stake pocket). While most of the sawing was done with the circular saw, getting real close to the stake pockets required the reciprocating saw.
Lots of nails and lots of custom trimming for the stake pockets and for the width of the flatcar gave Brian B. an opportunity to do some sweeping.
The first official task of the flatcar was to carry several large boxes of parts for the 2 to the south station. Dustin B. runs the fork lift with the first box.
Two boxes of "c***" loaded at either end of the flatcar.The flatcar was also loaded with the remaining deck boards in order to empty the shop of the traces of flatcar restoration work.
Once all the fittings were installed the flatcar was towed outside. Jesse V watches while Griffin W. runs the skid steer.
Paul K. applies some primer to hard to reach places with a "rattle can."
Griffin W applies the final coat of paint to the stringers and truss rods with his airless sprayer.
With the paint dry, the staff installed the 2" rough sawn decking. Every board was a different length which required a chalk line and a circular saw to correct. "Master craftsman" Elliot H. (hey! that's me!) is shown here plunging the blade into decking (and the occasional stake pocket). While most of the sawing was done with the circular saw, getting real close to the stake pockets required the reciprocating saw.
Lots of nails and lots of custom trimming for the stake pockets and for the width of the flatcar gave Brian B. an opportunity to do some sweeping.
The first official task of the flatcar was to carry several large boxes of parts for the 2 to the south station. Dustin B. runs the fork lift with the first box.
Two boxes of "c***" loaded at either end of the flatcar.The flatcar was also loaded with the remaining deck boards in order to empty the shop of the traces of flatcar restoration work.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Memorial Day "Extended Work Weekend"
Bad weather for the last couple months kept us from sandblasting the frame of the second car, number 6206. During this extended Memorial Day weekend (23-26 May), enough good weather prevailed and the sandblasting was finally completed on Friday. The original plan to paint the frame on Saturday was thwarted due to rain lasting all morning. The wet steel formed surface rust within several seconds causing the frame to need a quick second sandblasting! What a bother.
The next few pictures illustrate the "waltz of the frame." It was decided that the flat car needed flipping end to end, altering the mating with 6216. By flipping this car, the hand brakes are at opposing ends rather than at the front of each car. (Note to readers: our railroad does not have a wye or turntable; flipping a car is an interesting task.)
Flipping 6206 was a bit easier since it barely consisted of a frame. With the trucks off and the wood still in the shop, the skid steer and forklift were able to turn the frame around.
Step 1: The skid steer picks up the south side of the frame and moves it to the west.
Step 2: Along with the fork lift, two machines have the frame almost east-west.
Step 3: Almost done.
Step 4. Now parallel with the tracks, the frame has been reversed.
MCRR volunteers Paul K. and Brian Y. roll the north truck back under the frame.You can see the car's identification markings on the truck's frame.
With so much residual sand on and next to the rails, the south truck was reluctant to move into place. It took four staff members to complete the task.
See an action shot of the truck installation at youtube.
Trucks in place and forklifts/skidsteers out of the way, Griffin W. prepares the airless paint sprayer for the primer coat
Dustin B. mixes the red primer before setting the paint sprayer's pickup tube in the can
On Monday, with the primer dry the staff started the fitting of the center stringers onto the frame. The cutting of the tenons had been done two months ago, but painting the stringers wasn't completed until a few days ago.
Numerous holes and notches were drilled into the two boards in preparation for their fastening to the frame.
To keep the car as original as possible, most of the old hardware was cleaned and reworked to be usable. Here staff member Brian B. chases the threads on one of hundreds of square nuts
Griffin W. cuts a few mortises into the needle beam. (The MCRR's Vulcan Iron works switcher, affectionately known as "Little Squirt" is seen in the background. To be fair, it did have some mechanical attention this weekend.)
"Project Manager" Jesse V. rests while everyone else did the work. (Hahahaha...just kidding!)
"Shop Supervisor" Mike E. inspects Brian's thread chasing of an old carriage bolt.
With the east center stringer's bolts in place, the west center stringer is fit onto its frame and the bolts are started.
Orangehat B. models his double header face protection.
The next few pictures illustrate the "waltz of the frame." It was decided that the flat car needed flipping end to end, altering the mating with 6216. By flipping this car, the hand brakes are at opposing ends rather than at the front of each car. (Note to readers: our railroad does not have a wye or turntable; flipping a car is an interesting task.)
Flipping 6206 was a bit easier since it barely consisted of a frame. With the trucks off and the wood still in the shop, the skid steer and forklift were able to turn the frame around.
Step 1: The skid steer picks up the south side of the frame and moves it to the west.
Step 2: Along with the fork lift, two machines have the frame almost east-west.
Step 3: Almost done.
Step 4. Now parallel with the tracks, the frame has been reversed.
MCRR volunteers Paul K. and Brian Y. roll the north truck back under the frame.You can see the car's identification markings on the truck's frame.
With so much residual sand on and next to the rails, the south truck was reluctant to move into place. It took four staff members to complete the task.
See an action shot of the truck installation at youtube.
Trucks in place and forklifts/skidsteers out of the way, Griffin W. prepares the airless paint sprayer for the primer coat
Dustin B. mixes the red primer before setting the paint sprayer's pickup tube in the can
On Monday, with the primer dry the staff started the fitting of the center stringers onto the frame. The cutting of the tenons had been done two months ago, but painting the stringers wasn't completed until a few days ago.
Numerous holes and notches were drilled into the two boards in preparation for their fastening to the frame.
To keep the car as original as possible, most of the old hardware was cleaned and reworked to be usable. Here staff member Brian B. chases the threads on one of hundreds of square nuts
Griffin W. cuts a few mortises into the needle beam. (The MCRR's Vulcan Iron works switcher, affectionately known as "Little Squirt" is seen in the background. To be fair, it did have some mechanical attention this weekend.)
"Project Manager" Jesse V. rests while everyone else did the work. (Hahahaha...just kidding!)
"Shop Supervisor" Mike E. inspects Brian's thread chasing of an old carriage bolt.
With the east center stringer's bolts in place, the west center stringer is fit onto its frame and the bolts are started.
Orangehat B. models his double header face protection.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
D&RGW #6206
With the restoration of flat car 6216 nearly finished and only some lettering to finish up volunteers turned their attention to sister car 6206. The weekend of March 22 saw the removal of all the wood from the car.
Although this car was more complete and the the wood appeared to be in better shape, it turned out the wood was much more rotten. It also had many sighns of splicing and repairs from the Rio Grande days.
The end of the work. Bolts still need to be removed then the car will be sandblasted and painted.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
D&RGW flat car mostly done!
D&RGW flat car #6216 comes out of the shop for it's first trip around the track.
Arriving at the North Depot, we stop to inspect journals
Departing the North Depot to return to the shop for final touch-up work.
All that remains to be done is to finish lettering the car. Thanks to all who helped make this project a success!
Next we start restoring sister car #6206.
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