Switching and Steel Work

With 2600 out of service it has been placed into storage and the shop is currently hosting 1850, which is on its way to the Visitors' Center to be put on display. Car 65 will be coming out of the Visitors' Center to be repaired and placed into service. While we had 1850 with us, we took the opportunity to give the car a quick checkup so we know what we'll be facing when its turn comes for restoration. We've confirmed that the car will need major truck work. One truck is about two inches out of tram (think of tram as the equivalent to wheel alignment in your car). 1850 is also in need of some structural work due to how it rocks as it travels down the line and lots of cosmetic work. We hope to have the opportunity to work on the cosmetic issues over the winters. The car received a good dusting from Kelly and Wil so it'll be a bit more presentable once it gets inside.

1850 visits the shop

Galen and John have begun assessing the work 65 will need before it can return to service. Bruce and Rex have started making the roof brackets the car will need.

Galen worked on 18. While the brake stand is now fully reassembled, another rotted out pipe has been located and more work will be needed before the locomotive can see service.

John has been at work on 3001's structural steel. Some photos of his progress are below.

Patching at the east end of the south side

Patching at the west end of the south side

Structural reinforcing patches on the frame near the west end

Patching Up and a Special Trip

Work continued on 18 yesterday. Galen began reassembling the east end brake stand. Dave Coppola (Track Department Superintendent) and Brian worked on cleaning up and painting the west end. Kelly and Wil prepped three areas on the side for patch panels and cut the steel. One panel was partially installed. John had installed a second patch panel during the week and primed the two installed panels.

Brian and Dave at work painting 18. Photo by Mike Luzzi

Fresh paint on 18

18's west end catcher is now fully painted

Patching work in progress on 18's south side

Kelly works on welding in the newest patch panel. Photo by Mike Luzzi

John has been at work on 3001, installing reinforcing plates on the frame.

Support panels installed in 3001

303 came out to make a special trip for the Annual Meeting.

303 and Diesel 1 wait on the Northern Barn track

Lastly, we are saddened to report that 2600 has been removed from active service. The car has sustained damage to one of its wheel flanges and the metal is too brittle to repair to a safe operating state. The car will need new wheels pressed on all around to render it ready for active service again.

2018 Trolley Care Program Starts

The 2018 Trolley Care Program series began today. Despite the cold start, we saw a good turnout for the session. Participants gathered in 1326 for an introduction then were split into two teams. New members covered maintenance on 836 with Galen and were taught about how the cars function. They were also given a tour of the shop. Returning members joined Kelly and completed maintenance on 5645. The whole group took a trip on 1326 before gathering for lunch. All enjoyed their day.

If you are interested but were unable to attend the first session, we still encourage you to come to future Trolley Care days. You can contact the museum office to be added to the mailing list for the program to receive information throughout the year.

Adam and Katy clear flange ways outside of Kelly Barn before the day began, taking over from Galen and Kelly who greatly appreciated the help

Participants gather outside 1326

Galen shows participants inside one of 1326's journal boxes and explains how the lubrication system works

Meanwhile, Rex and Bruce cleaned up inside 1500 as we prepare for the museum to open next weekend. John installed a new air governor in 2600 and replaced the air gauges on 16. All 7 cars are in an operable state as we enter the 2018 operating season.

How straight is the trolley?

Now that all the window frame repairs have been completed and 3001 is structurally sound, John is checking how straight the car is. After running a line from middle of one end of the car body to the other, he compared the measurements to a line marking the middle of the frame from end to end. It turns out that the car has an approximately 3/4 inch twist from one end of the body to the other. This isn't all too bad. We'll try to to remove some of this twisting by pulling the body back into shape with come-alongs, taking appropriate measures to ensure we don't build up damaging stresses in the body panels.

A brightly color string marks the middle of 3001's body. This marking was brought down the frame using a square and compared to the frames mid-point to determine twist.

Meanwhile, Kelly is cleaning up the various components of 3001's controller. The controller will be repainted and re-insulated as needed before it is rewired and reassembled. The rest of the team continues work on 169, removing old paint and repairing damaged woodwork.

An original builder's photo of 3001 has been located in the library. We have decided to return the car to its original two door configuration.

John has also been working on 2600's line switch. Installation has begun and the car will be back in service in time for Winterfest.

2600's line switch waits for installation

Bumper Fit Up and More Maintenance

Bruce has completed the repairs to the wooden portion of 169's east end anti-climber. The bumper is in the process of being test fitted so a slot can be cut in the platform frame for the tow bar.

Fred finished the last of the painting on 2600's floor. He and Paul spent some quality time with paint scrappers working on 169.

John continues steel work on 3001.

Kelly, Adam, Jim, and Wil worked on maintenance, completing cars 1326, 5645, and 355.

Maintenance, Painting, and Motor Testing

Larry and Kelly began the round of fall maintenance yesterday completing cars 836 and 16. Car 836 has already traveled almost 1,000 miles on the line this year, despite being out of service for over a month for extended maintenance in the spring. Car 16 went out for a test trip in the afternoon, running on three motors. This gives the car more pep, once it reaches parallel, which will be beneficial when the car is pressed into service as the cast car for Rails to the Darkside next month. We are still debating repairing the inoperable fourth motor as it is a multi-thousand dollar fix. The car likely needs extensive truck work as well which could become expensive and time consuming.

A sure sign of fall's impending arrival- a woolly bear caterpillar was found between the rails of track two just outside Kelly Barn. We moved it to the foliage on the far side of the parking lot after its photo op.

Fred and Paul worked on giving 2600's floor a fresh coat of paint.

John continues steel work on 3001, removing old rivets. The shop will be attempting hot riveting next year as body work on the car continues.

Galen and Kelly MEG'd 169's motors. The west end unit tests fine while the east end indicates that it is wet. Once the east end is dried, we will likely have two working motors on the car. The truck was checked and found to be in tram. The car will need an entirely new wiring harness before it could ever run.  Although the car is intended to primarily be a show piece, we'd love to see it run it on special occasions.

169's primed east end bumper

Steel Work Begins

John, Fred, Larry, Adam, Bruce, and Paul accomplished a lot while Galen and I were away and the work continued yesterday. Here's a summary of what's happened this month.

2600 had it's windows washed and received a thorough vacuuming. Fred and Larry began applying a fresh coat of paint to the floor yesterday afternoon. The east end operator's foot rest has also been re-secured to the floor.

John has begun removing old rivets from 3001's side. Several rusted sections have also been removed. The car boasts its first fresh steel in the frame. Disassembly and cleaning work also continued on the east end controller.

Rivets removed and rusted sections cut out so patches can be installed

Work also continued on 169's anti-climber and one half is now fully repaired. The bumper was wire wheeled clean and primed yesterday

Repaired anti-climber section fit up on the car

Second anti-climber section is being patched

 East end bumper in the process of being cleaned

1326 is Back, 355 Will Be Soon

1326 returned to service yesterday afternoon, now on all four motors. Operations reports that the installation of the fourth motor has stopped the car from 'hunting' its way down the track between Winkler Road and Station 7, leading to a much smoother ride.

355 was brought up to the shop upon 1326's return to service and repairs were quickly completed by John and Galen with help from Larry and Fred. The car will likely be returning to service tomorrow after it is given one final inspection. 2600 will be brought up to the shop once 355 returns to service and will remain with us for several weeks to undergo extended maintenance.

Work has also begun on cleaning components for 3001. Fred has prepped the auxiliary air tank for sand blasting and repainting. Kelly began disassembling the east end controller, which had been left open for many years and is now full of dust and debris.

One dirty controller

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