Truck Work and Maintenance

 During the week a lot of work was done on 3001. The main focus was on the trucks. One of the trucks for 3001 has been disassembled and the parts are being worked on so the truck can be reassembled.

3001's disassembled truck

With this, the armature's for the trucks are being shipped out to be rebuilt similar to how 1326's armature was.

 

3001's armature's

John also worked on the journal boxes for this truck. Since they have been sitting for so long, there were some holes in them. John welded them shut to keep oil inside of the journals and during future operation.

Welded section of one of the journal boxes

It was discovered that diesel 1 has a small oil leak in one of the oil hoses, and a new hose in on order to replace the one currently inside the locomotive.

Car 4 also saw some work done this week. Wil, Jayden, and Sully put more oil in the journal boxes on Saturday.

Cabin Fever 2020

This weekend we were delighted to host the annual NEATO (North Eastern Alliance of Trolley Organizations) Cabin Fever winter get together. The shop came in early Friday, hoping to get our CA&E interurban 303 out, however, the bitter cold thwarted us, preventing the locomotive's batteries from charging up. By the time we finally got the little engine that could started, it was too late in the day to begin the intense inspections 303 needed after a 20+ month stint in dead storage. We also feared the locomotive wouldn't start a second time, which would prevent us from putting the car away later on. The diesel has developed a new leak in the fuel pump and a leaking oil line since last weekend. John was able to patch the oil line, but more work is needed. The necessity for a battery rehab was reinforced.

Our initial plans foiled, we opted to provide more trips than originally planned on Conn Co car 65 instead. 65 remained under shop supervision throughout the event, which proved it's worth as it popped a breaker for unknown reasons coming home on its last trip of the event. The car will be inspected before further operating. We were able to get 5 of our motormen behind the controls for the first time and let our Operations Manger take his first trip on the car since he was the last one to run it in 1997. Our 3 junior motormen/shop team members also had the opportunity to run the car. We were happy to have all 4 of our age 18 and under crew members present for at least part of the festivities on Saturday.

Our guests enjoy a trip on 65 Friday night

Sadly, we had to place 836 out of service early Saturday morning. It blew a fuse while being pulled out for operations and inspection of the car found a high bar in the air compressor. We'll need to remove and rebuild the compressor before the car can return to service.

Thank you to everyone who came for being wonderful guests (and good sports about not being able to run 65). We'll see you next year in Baltimore!

3001 Transferred to Shop Trucks

Yesterday saw the completion of an important milestone in 3001's restoration. With the help of the Trolley Care Program participants, the car was transferred to shop trucks. To start the day, Kelly, Galen, Adam, and Katy shuffled 3001 over the pit to remove cotter pins from the ends of the center pins. The car was then returned to its home side of the shop and the team was joined by Christopher, Julia, and Lou. The car's east end was jacked and the truck rolled out. Using the Case loader, the truck was shifted to the pit track and a Type 5 shop truck was loaded onto the track in front of 3001. The truck was pushed under the car by hand and the car was lowered, wood spacers being added to level the car on its new truck.

Shuffling 3001 to the pit track (Video by Adam Kruase)

Lou and Adam jack the east end of the car (Second photo by Katy Krause)

East end truck out from under the car (Photo by Katy Krause)

Setting the east end truck down on the pit track

3001 was then towed outside with the diesel and the jacking and truck transfer process was repeated on the west end. 3001 moved past the switch and its west truck was rolled onto the pit track before the car was pushed inside. The diesel then fetched both trucks and pushed them inside the shop after the car.

West end jacked and truck removed, east end truck is already replaced

Katy and Lou rig up a shop truck to the Case while Galen's watches

Galen lifts the shop truck to bring it to 3001 (Second photo by Katy Krause)

After a short lunch break (Thank you to Larry Bryan for coordinating our lunch this time and to Rob Brogle for starting our day off with doughnuts!), the team went to work on the trucks, starting with the east end one. By mid afternoon, motor 1 had been removed from the truck. By the end of the day, motor 2 only had one stubborn bolt between it and removal. Unwilling to drag out the torch so late in the game, we'll start next week by cutting this bolt out.

Katy, Lou, and Galen work on removing the gear case from motor 1

Adam, Lou, and Galen remove more of bolts that are holding motor 1 in place

Motor 1 is hoisted out of the truck (Photos by Katy Krause, Adam Krause respectively)

Inspection of the 4 motors reveals damage to all windings on the armatures. We will need to send the armatures out for repair. This costly step will be helped by a grant, although additional donations to the project are highly appreciated.

Diesel 1 is looking sharp in its new primer, thanks to John. The winter rebuild he performed proved its worth as the little locomotive has regained all of the power it had lost over the last few years. The fuel tank makes a very nice addition.

Diesel 1's nice new primer

Six Happy Cars

The shop was happy to release car 4 into service after a successful test trip first thing Saturday morning. We then turned our attention to car 16 and, after some minor brake stand and air governor work, were able to release the car to operations mid-afternoon, bringing the active fleet to its full six cars. Both cars ran for members after the annual meeting and we heard a lot of positive feedback from motormen delighted to have two of their favorite cars back. Car 65 is now back in the shop where it waits for additional interior work. Diesel 1 is being surface prepped and primed and will hopefully be back outside the shop this coming week wearing all new primer.

President Rob Brogle and Assistant Chief Motorman Ryan Trombly picked up a wire and air pipe donation and delivered it to the shop in the afternoon with assistance from Don Nordell. These supplies will be used for 3001, 18, and 169. At the annual meeting, we were delighted to learn that we've won a $50,000 grant from the Connecticut DECD for the restoration of car 3001. We send them our thanks. Major funding for the restoration is now complete.

We are happy to report that car 355 has been released to operations for service for the year. Car 4 should be released next weekend. A minor issue was discovered with an armature and was repaired yesterday by Galen. The repair will cure this week and be tested next Saturday. Thanks to Katy, Adam, Anthony, Larry, John, and Galen for helping me out with finishing off maintenance and dealing with the typical opening hiccups. Katy learned how to rebuild trolley catchers. We now have car 16 in the shop so we can locate the source of its air system issues.

Diesel 1 is all back together and running. It remains in the shop for its protection until it gets a new coat of paint. With this work done, John is finally able to return to working on car 3001.

Diesel 1 is back together

John works on installing a patch panel on 3001's side

Adam was able to complete the organization of the primary machine tooling box. He will be tackling cleanup of of the Bridgeport and Cincinnati milling machines.

The next Trolley Care Day will be June 1st. We will be swapping trucks on car 3001.

2019 Trolley Care Program Begins

We were happy to welcome Lou and Steve to the museum for Trolley Care yesterday. We also had relatively new shop member Jeff and returning participants Adam, Katy, and Wil on hand. Adam and Katy worked on car 16 with Galen while Kelly walked Jeff, Lou, and Steve through basic maintenance with car 355. While we were unable to get either car completed and into service, a good time was had by all and a lot of work was performed. Lou stayed into the afternoon and helped Kelly get S193 ready for the year.

Adam has accepted the challenge of cleaning up the shop's machine tooling and better organizing that work area to improve our efficiency. He will be inventorying and inspecting tooling during the coming months.

John is making progress reassembling Diesel 1 and had Anthony helping him for the day. We hope to have the locomotive back in service soon.

Getting Ready for Opening Day

Spring maintenance has begun for operating fleet and 836, 1326, and 5645 are ready to go for opening day thanks to Adam, Katy, Wil, Jayden, Galen, and Kelly. Maintenance will continue next weekend with the start of the 2019 Trolley Care Program. All are welcome to come and learn how to care for the cars. The day stars at 8:30AM and runs to 1PM, including the provided lunch.

5645 visits the shop as the first car to receive maintenance this year

We installed some of our new segments from Westfield Technical Academy into 1326.

3 new segments in 1326

John is putting the diesel back together after its much needed maintenance. The water pump has been rebuilt, the motor generator has been serviced, and the fuel system has been cleaned. We send our thanks to Terry Snider for helping us out by pressing the impeller back onto the water pump shaft at his shop as part of the rebuild.

The hood is back on the diesel

Diesel 1's engine compartment is looking much better

Anthony joined us for the first time and worked on patching the Case loader's bucket. Its coming out very nicely and we hope to see him again soon.

One of the new patches on the Case's bucket (both sides done)

Diesel 1 Apart

John has been hard at work on diesel 1. The hood as been removed as well as the radiator. This allows us access to the water pump and fuel system, both of which need work. These repairs will keep the locomotive, critical piece of work equipment for the museum, in running condition.

Hood as been removed from the body and rests on a stand

Close up of the diesel's exposed engine

65 Takes its First Trip Down the Line in Over 20 Years

65 has seen some important physical touches put in place over the past two weeks. The last grab iron was installed, a door was refitted, tack stripping was installed to hold the roof membrane in place, and the repaired motor hatches were leveled to the floor. All this meant the crew was able to take the car out on a test trip down the line. Galen, Kelly, and Wil were joined on the car by Chief Motorman Roger Pierson and motorman Ryan Trombly photographed the event. This was car 65's first trip down the line in over 20 years. The car performed beautifully with only a few minor issues noted as needing work, such as the west end whistle not functioning. When the car returned to the yard, the crew hauled its seats out of storage and placed them in the car in preparation for them to be installed over the coming weekends. Once the seats are in place, we will be able to test the heaters. The crew is short 3 bench cushions for the car. A temporary solution will be devised.

65 at North Road curve prior to departing for testing

Photo: Ryan Trombly

Test crew at Wells Road after a successful outbound trip

Left to Right: Wil, Roger, Kelly, and Galen

Photo: Ryan Trombly

65 inbound by Skylark Airport

Photo: Ryan Trombly

65 inbound leaving Hancock Siding

Photo: Ryan Trombly

Heading outbound on 65 as the car is brought to full speed for testing

Video: Wil Gambardella

Seats placed in 65

John has been at work on Diesel 1 and one area of the locomotive now has fresh primer. The crew decided the diesel will be painted red, leaving the frame black.

Diesel 1 is being primed

Car 16 has been designated out of service until spring. As the car does not have heat, it is experiencing issues with its air system freezing due to the cold weather.

Roof Complete and Winter Projects a Go

Taking another shot at the rubber roof membrane, Galen was able to complete 65's roof. The material is much more cooperative when it is cold out.

65's roofing is all in place

3001 is being tarped off so it can be heated this winter, allowing John to continue work.

3001 is being prepped for winter

Adam began prepping Diesel 1 for a much needed new paint job.

Adam grinds old paint off of the locomotive

A Slight Reorganization and Much Progress

To better serve the needs of the museum, there has been a slight change in the shop's management structure. John has moved from the role of shop manager to that of restoration manager, to allow him to better focus on 3001. Galen has stepped into the role of shop manager. Kelly's title has changed from assistant shop manager to maintenance manager, her responsibilities remain the same. Questions and concerns regarding operating fleet should be directed to Galen and Kelly.

John is working on 3001's roof structure The first wooden pieces are now in place. Rebuilding the roof will allow the new west end framing to be attached. It is currently clamped into place.

John installs the first wood piece

First wood brace in place

Galena and Kelly began the work of installing roofing on the side sections of 65's roof. The rubber membrane is not working well. Some roll roofing will be acquired and installed. As the roof is only temporary, no canvas will be used on the car.

Galen works on 65's roof

Diesel 1 has been moved into the shop behind 3001. Some initial inspections have been performed to assess the work it will need this winter. It will be kept heated and ready to serve until after Winterfest. Work on the locomotive will begin in January.