June, 2018, Work Weekend

Two inside work areas and one outside work area.

The Plymouth diesel switcher, D-9, had lots of attention. Both the D-9 and No. 14 were acquired from a liquidation sale of a rock quarry operator in Ohio in the 1990's. No. 14 was the better of the two and was placed in service soon after relocating to the MCRR. The D-9 was a bit rougher and never saw regular service. A restoration effort has been ongoing since 2009 with long periods of nothing happening.

The staff removes some of the sheet metal to expose the engine compartment in anticipation of getting the repaired torque converter installed.

Dustin B. supervises the volunteers as they rebuild the brake cylinders.

Dustin B. gets the transmission front end cleaned in anticipation of connecting the torque converter.

No. 6 was buried on shop's west track. The Vulcan Iron Works FS-2 pulled No. 6 and the D-9 out of their holes for continuing maintenance.

Jesse V. carefully places the gasket onto No. 6's right steam cylinder so the valve chest can be put in place.

A few members resumed the fireside cleaning of No. 12. Poor weather from the end-of-season operation in December until this work weekend has kept the last few hours of its annual pickling from being completed. Elliot H. holds the locomotive in place and then watches as Micah M. and Alex M. open the smoke box door.

Alex M. and Micah M. take a rest from their first task of cleaning the firebox.

In the firebox.

-Photos courtesy Joanie M. and Elliot H.
-steam.airman

May, 2018, Work Weekend

In preparation for the wheel upgrade project, we moved the large wheel press from a flatcar to the machine shop floor. Steve P's large crane easily lifted the press off the flatcar.

One of the trouble areas on the 6 were the leaky seals for the slide valves' rods. Jesse V. resurfaced the rods and made new bushings. The newly acquired tool post grinder was a vital piece of equipment for this job.

No 6's upgrade project continued. Matt W. modifies the air compressor's steam delivery pipe.

Kendall O., Matt W., and John W. bend a delivery pipe for the new Monitor injectors.

The volunteers moved some cabinets from the main floor to the loft over the office. The cabinets were loaded with heavy parts. Each cabinet was emptied of its drawers, hoisted to the loft and reassembled.

-Pictures courtesy John W. and Elliot H. 

-steam.airman

April, 2018, Work Weekend

Awful weather kept the volunteers inside today, but there was still enough work to keep everyone busy.

Some time ago, FS-2 (the Vulcan Iron Works gasoline switcher, affectionately known as the "Squirt") was re-engined, re-transmissioned, repainted, and in general, brought to a much higher mechanical standard.

During the re-everything project, the old mechanical sanders were modernized with pneumatic actuators. Unfortunately, after mounting the sanders' air cylinders, nothing further was accomplished leaving the FS-2 without a way to drop sand on the rails. For the last few months, Roger R. has been heading up the project to restore sanders to the engine.

This month, with help from Alex M, James M., and Nick M., the team was able to deal with some of the mechanical issues introduced by the air operated sanders.

Alex M. installs the sander actuator valve in the cab of the FS-2 while Roger R. and Nick M. supervise.

The underside of FS-2.

James M. consults with Roger R. on some aspect of the sanders' mechanical linkage.

Last December, plans started to take place for the upgrade of the 6's cab crew operator equipment. Since that time, besides the cab being completely stripped of everything, much of the outside piping and linkages, and refurbishment of the D-valves, much progress has been made.

This picture shows most of the new piping and the left side Nathan Manufacturing's Monitor injector.

Matt C., Matt W., Dustin B., and Brian B. discuss how to bend the injectors' feed water and delivery pipes.

After completing two opposing 90-degree bends, John G. and Brian B. watch Matt W. thread the end of a water delivery pipe. Dustin B. applies thread cutting oil as the electric threader cuts through the steel. 

Kendall O. and Dustin B. fit the new delivery pipe onto the right side of the boiler.

Dave M. mills a part for the 6.

Jesse V. mills a seat for one of the 4 upgraded steam cylinder cocks.

John G. fabricated a mount for 6's the new dual needle blower/atomizer gauge. Firemen will find it just behind the fuel valve.

-steam.airman