Sunday, March 26, 2017

Final Touches

Saturday was the shop's last chance to get in some final touches before opening day on April 1st.

Inside the Visitors' Center, John finished up the small projects on two cars while Fred cleaned up the Northern (1500). As of next week, we'll be back out in the shop, no matter the weather.

65's faux roof has been painted

10's controller has been repaired, reassembled, and painted. Visitors will now be able to use it and experience what it is like behind the controls of a trolley


Outside, we were excited to see the Overhead Department at work. They've set a new pole for the shop lead, adjacent to Kelly Barn. Once the wires have been transferred, we will be able to run cars up to the shop under their own power, something we've not been able to do for over a year due to the old pole's condition.


Bruce conducted some minor repairs on 5645. Simultaneously, Galen and Kelly finished up some maintenance on 2600. They were joined by Junior Motorman Wil Gambradella. After a break for lunch, they conducted some car moves.

Line car 1 had been left on the main shop track after car rearrangements in the Visitors' Center and under the train shed. It was moved up to outside of Northern Barn, allowing access to the shop.

Next, 16 was brought down from its winter resting place in the shop to rejoin the fleet in Kelly Barn. Maintenance was begun on the car and will be finished during the week by John so it is ready for opening day. Opening day fleet will be 5645, 1326, 2600, and 16.

836 was brought up to the shop to take 16's place. The shop will conduct a wiring inspection at the recommendation of the New Orleans Public Service (NOPS). We are also waiting to hear back from the NOPS if they have any of the special segments used in the controller for the full series and full parallel notches. These segments are worn on both controllers and need to be replaced. Unfortunately, their design is different from all of our other cars, so will need to be custom made if the NOPS does not have any that they can spare.

Wil backs Diesel 1 away from the shop after Kelly and Galen placed 836 within

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Sprucing Up the Old Standbys

In preparation for opening day, the shop has been hard at work on a pair of beautification efforts inside the Visitors' Center.


Car 65 is being given a faux roof on the west end. The drop clothes will be painted grey to simulate canvas.



Meanwhile, an effort is underway to make car 10's controller operational, so that visitor's can experience what it is like to notch a controller. The spring inside that affixes to the reverser is broken and will be replaced to restore functionality. In the meantime, a thick layer of dirt and tarnish was removed from the controller cover, revealing the beautiful brass underneath.



Sunday, March 12, 2017

A Peek Inside Sweeper 010

For the 2017 season, Capitol Transit snow sweeper #010 has been moved inside the Visitors' Center. Yesterday, the shop crew removed the tarp that had been protecting it from the weather while it was stored outside under the train shed. This marked the first time in years that the car could be seen completely. Let's take a look.



She's looking pretty good for 118 years old. The car body has a distinctly southwards lilt, likely caused by a combination of hard use and storage on uneven track. The pole was pulled so tightly to the body for storage, that it caused some damage to the roof. There is rot evident on both platforms. At a rough estimate, she is in approximately the same condition as 169, which is currently be restored. We hope to perform some paint touch up to improve her visual appeal while she's on display.

Due to the poor condition of the platform floors and the dangerous exposed equipment inside, 010's interior will be off limits to the public. However, we've taken some photos, so you can see the inner workings.

The sweeper's original bamboo snow brushes are visible in their storage spot near the east end of the car. In the foreground is power shaft for spinning the brushes.


There wasn't much in the way of safety in 1899

Here is the brush speed controller



West end controls