Let me begin by thanking everyone who was able to drop in to the shop this past Saturday. It would be no literary stretch to describe it as a bleak, cold and rainy day, (there were reports of early morning SNOW flurries in the suburban outskirts of Ottawa)! The turnout of hardy souls allowed us to wind up some end of season outdoor tasks.
The Pontiac Chieftain Hy-Rail Car No. 26:
Ed Sr. was successful in acquiring the balance of the custom, moulded O.E.M. coolant hoses we required for the Pontiac. He displayed more tenacity and ingenuity than the OCR MOW folks had when they, at some point in the dim past, resolved the requirement for two different IDs in the lower rad hose by simply acquiring a hose of the larger diameter and shimming it with a tin sleeve! The corrosion and contamination of the coolant via the deterioration of the sleeve apparently had not come under consideration. Serge waved his magic wand and found a way to route and connect the transmission coolant lines we thought were too short. Bravo Serge! I managed to lash down the new air lines to the frame rails, did an air test, found they had not lost one pound of pressure in the last week, so I inflated the suspension to spec, (80psi) and Re-installed the safety cover over the rear hydraulics. We are closing in on the finish line in regards to the Pontiac refurbishment project, so now its all hands in the engine bay.
The OCR Woodings CBL Speeder:
As noted in reference to the OCR Speeder in the last couple of sessions, Dave Boyd, Charles, Jim L., Jack and Ian, are continuing to make excellent progress with the refurbishment of the speeders fibreglass body shell. They have some portions of the body in final coat grey primer. Charles is continuing with the fabrication and application of fibreglass replacement sheets to damaged areas of the body shell.
The Central Vermont Steam Crane Tender:
Saturday, John B. Bill W., Andrew and Felicity completed the process of winterizing the crane. The coal bin and boiler grates were cleaned. Then the crew drained the boiler for the season. Plywood and winter tarps were installed over the exposed front of the cab and as the day came to a close the unit was shunted to its winter storage spur. Ross continued to fabricate the rail anchors and associated hardware. Paul was observed happily showering co-workers with hot sparks from shards of steel he was grinding off the anchors as he "cleaned up" the rough edges of the anchor assemblies.
On Wednesday Andrew once again assumed the role of "Ye Olde Village Smithy" dragging out on the shop floor his large anvil and lighting his propane fired hearth. Using an ingenious jig, conceived (yes you guessed it), on a paper hand towel, by Ross and employing previously purchased 3/4 inch bar steel Andrew, hammer and tong in hand, forged the large oval loop fasteners required for the rail anchor assembly.
So he should not once again feel slighted, I must note that Paul too was part of this process. He, in a supportive role, stood on the outermost perimeter of the activity, intoning in his Baritone voice a chorus of "YO Heave Ho, Now all....etc. Although well meaning, I don't think the verse was really conducive to encouraging the efforts of a Village Smithy, as much as it would have suited the sweating press gang oarsmen below the decks of a British Naval "Ship of The Line".
The Jordan Spreader:
The old doll took the week off and slumbered peacefully on the storage track.
Sundry Bits:
Bob "Sawdust" Moore continues to toil in virtual obscurity in the woodwork shop on replacement window frames for the Bytown heavyweight coach. Bob, "All work has value and nothing goes unnoticed!"
Dave "El Presidente" Stremes, Ross and Paul have completed and mounted the new steel door, (complete with all the original period hardware and fasteners) on the shop side of the baggage car.
Hope to see everyone at the shop this Saturday. I'II have a large steaming pot of my usual Tarpot Railway Coffee ready and waiting. However, please remember it's a B.Y.O.D., (bring your own donuts) and one for the author if you expect a bi-line next week.
Regards...
Steve Harling
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