10-29-2013, 06:07 PM
Last Sunday we held our last work session of the summer season, Steamtown will now be going on their winter schedule. That means weekdays only, So I will not be able to attend very many (if any) restoration days 
.
Here is another Email explaining what this winter holds for the F units & our FA.
Bob, Justin and myself were at the work session today in Scranton. Several things happened. Today was the end of the season for the F-3's
First 663 was moved to track 14 where it was drained for the winter.
Next we looked at the compressor and what was needed to remove the hatch above it. A couple minor brackets and some piping was disconnected. We then tried to work on the bolts holding the roof hatch with mixed success. Due to the hatch on 663 having the dynamic brake resistors, everything near them has been subjected to some heat. Even with penetrating spray many of the bolts will not come out without breaking off. In total we got about 16 out of 36 to come out. We did not try the ones on the outside edge of the roof so there are more yet to go.
After 3pm there was the great shuffle of equipment. 663 came out of track 14 and was replaced by 664.
663 was moved to track 5 in the back-shop in preparation of compressor removal on this Thursday.
We started to identify and label high voltage cables in the main cabinet area with the goal to eventually identify what wires in the locomotive match up with those in the main cabinet. This is going to take considerable time.
Most likely the B unit will be moved into the sandblast bay this week which will allow us to start removing the panels on the sides. We will drop the panels, removed rust, apply rust converter and a coat of paint to both the frame and the existing panels. Additionally a good number of screws which hold the batten strips to the locomotive have broken off and need to be drilled out. All of this will be our winter project.
Also regarding our FA, a supplier of proper FRA windshields has been located in Trumbauresville, Pa and their quote of $275.00 each is very reasonable considering all other estimates were four figures.
Rich
So I will keep you informed the best I can till Spring.
.Here is another Email explaining what this winter holds for the F units & our FA.
Bob, Justin and myself were at the work session today in Scranton. Several things happened. Today was the end of the season for the F-3's
First 663 was moved to track 14 where it was drained for the winter.
Next we looked at the compressor and what was needed to remove the hatch above it. A couple minor brackets and some piping was disconnected. We then tried to work on the bolts holding the roof hatch with mixed success. Due to the hatch on 663 having the dynamic brake resistors, everything near them has been subjected to some heat. Even with penetrating spray many of the bolts will not come out without breaking off. In total we got about 16 out of 36 to come out. We did not try the ones on the outside edge of the roof so there are more yet to go.
After 3pm there was the great shuffle of equipment. 663 came out of track 14 and was replaced by 664.
663 was moved to track 5 in the back-shop in preparation of compressor removal on this Thursday.
We started to identify and label high voltage cables in the main cabinet area with the goal to eventually identify what wires in the locomotive match up with those in the main cabinet. This is going to take considerable time.
Most likely the B unit will be moved into the sandblast bay this week which will allow us to start removing the panels on the sides. We will drop the panels, removed rust, apply rust converter and a coat of paint to both the frame and the existing panels. Additionally a good number of screws which hold the batten strips to the locomotive have broken off and need to be drilled out. All of this will be our winter project.
Also regarding our FA, a supplier of proper FRA windshields has been located in Trumbauresville, Pa and their quote of $275.00 each is very reasonable considering all other estimates were four figures.
Rich
So I will keep you informed the best I can till Spring.
My other car is a locomotive, ARHS restoration crew