Hello, 1326!

1 was released from the shop after Galen completed repairs to the east end tow point. This will allow us to safely tow the car with the diesel if needed. The car returns to Kelly Barn where it remains out of service until further improvements can be made.

We had a week of air system issues with both 16 and 65 being placed out of service. Jeremy came in and assessed 16, tracing its problems to a hole in one of the pipes. Unfortunately, the pipe was inaccessible in Kelly Barn so repairs had to wait a few days until the car could move up to the shop. Galen and Kelly replaced the rotted pipe and returned the car to limited service. 65 has been diagnosed with a rotted out gasket in the main brake cylinder. We've begun soaking bolts in PB Blaster and hope to complete repairs in the next few weeks.

16's old air pipe clearly shows the source of the leak

New air pipe in 16

Mike has added logos to S193 and completed painting the hand rails. Compared to where this car was last year, it has made a complete transformation, all for the better.

1326 was moved back into the shop so we can being repairs to the motors next week. We expect repairs to take about eight weeks if all goes well. 15 was moved in front of the shop to give the Operations Team better access to power so they can continue exterior cosmetic work. 5645 has been moved to storage while it waits its turn for repair.

1326 waits for repairs

OPs Progress on 15

The Operations Department continues to work on PCC 15, removing old paint and putting on a fresh coat of protective primer.

Chief Motorman Roger Pierson pauses while applying fresh paint to 15 (Ryan Trombly photo)

Motorman Sully Mrowka works on removing old paint from 15 (Ryan Trombly photo)

Fall maintenance has begun for the operating fleet. Kelly and Adam cared for car 836 then jumped up to the shop to help Galen and Rob Brogle with 5645. These two cars are now ready for the special events season. Galen, John, and Rob repaired a damaged brake beam on 5645 yesterday. Car 1326 is back in the shop with more motor gearing issues. It will be out of service for several weeks while the repair is made and additional preventative actions are taken. Maintenance work for the fleet will continue next weekend.

The first armature for car 3001 has returned from refurbishment.

Air Pipe Work in Progress on 3001

John has been at work replacing 3001's air piping. He started with the west end brake stand and is moving down the car.

3001's new west end brake stand piping

The Operations Department has started work on the repaint for PCC 15. The are striping the old, peeling paint from the exterior of the car and will begin priming the bare metal as they work around the car.

Chief Motorman Roger Pierson removes paint from 15 (Ryan Trombly photos)

We welcome John Schnabel back to the museum and the shop.

1326 is in the shop for repair. The nut that holds the pinion gear on the armature worked itself loose on motor 2. There is minor damage to the nut and armature to be repaired. We will also readjust the brushes on motor 4 and fix a leak in the west end brake stand while we have the car. The car will be out of service for a few weeks. We thank Morgan Cummins and Roger Pierson for reporting the car sounding "off", which let us catch the issue before it got any worse.

Motor 2 gears on 1326, notice the misalignment between the gears

Line Car 1 Brought to the Shop

The crew spent a large part of today switching cars around. Car 65 has been temporarily put into storage so line car 1 can visit the shop for inspection. The line car will be reviewed as part of the Trolley Care Program next week. Today's initial quick physical inspection was positive. Car 3100 is back outside the shop as Chris Perry will be spending the next week with us to work on it. New Jersey Transit PCC 15 has been moved up to the track outside Northern Barn where the Operations Department will work on striping and repainting both the exterior and the interior. Finally, the box car was shifted further down the loop track to allow the SC&ET Department access to the overhead for repairs.

Line car 1 is in the shop and its tarp has been removed

Motormen Aiden Nies and Owen Dalton have painted 836's floor, which was much needed and is highly appreciated.

836's new floor paint