OBRM update

[MADDOG]

Another scorching hot day of fun at OBRM-Saturday 6/26/10
2 more drive rods completed leaving us with the last 2 to go, then we begin working on the valve gear rods.
All 3 drive axles were prepped and primed. As we did not have an air compressor on hand, we could not finish the turntable motor frame needle scaling.
I guess thats more fun for us during the summer heat!
We are taking off the July 4th wekend and we wish everyone a very safe & Happy Independence day.
Please remember our armed forces everywhere that they may remain safe and return to us soon!
MADDOG

[Block Limit]

Did OBRM obtain a grant or raise enough money to start the restoration of 35? or are you guys just cleaning and cataloging the parts and placing them in safe keeping until they are needed for repair and reassembly?
How big of a compressor do you need for the needle scaling?

[MADDOG]

The inventory and photography of parts was conducted earlier this year. We are now working on paint removal and general cleaning of the parts so when they are shipped down to Alabama for repair/rebuild the contractors work will be lessened and thus, our price will reflect our hard work. We currently have a large grant to start the work while we await our boiler grant approval.
We have the use of a highway compressor capable of constant 125lbs pressure. More than enough to run 3 needle scalers at a time without a noticeable drop in cfms.
MADDOG

[MADDOG]

TODAY-Saturday July 17th- we moved the 2 finished drive rods from the last work session into storage and began the last 2.
These are the rods on the left side which go from the steam cylinder to the #1 driver and the #1 driver to the #2 driver. They attach to themselves with a special pin. We also went through the storage trailers to find and remove all of the "pins" that were stored in order to put the valve gear assemblies back together.
We fully attached all of the valve gear rods and linkages as to the way they would be attached to #35. We also "pinned" the parts together with the cleaned and liubed pins. During next weeks work session, we will strip and coat one full set of this valve gear assembly and finish up a couple of odds and ends.
We won't have an update for next week as I will not be at the work site. Sorry
MADDOG

[Math]

TODAY-Saturday July 17th-

We won't have an update for next week as I will not be at the work site. Sorry
MADDOG

Is that why you said today is the 17th?   

[MADDOG]

Sorry Math-got my days mixed up-AGAIN!!
MADDOG

[MADDOG]

OK, I said in my last posting that there would be no update for this weeks session, but.........
Even though I wasn't at the OBRM worksite (I was out of state), we did manage to finish up the last two main drive rods and put them into storage.
The volunteers then started working on the first 2 pieces of the valve gear rods.
As it was WAY TOO HOT to be outdoors in the blazing sun, the session was called quite early and the brave few volunteers who came up to Oyster Bay were sent home. Can't work us volunteers too hard!!
No work session next Saturday 7-24-10.
MADDOG

[RGlueck]

Is that when you forge a new ring from metal, Dog?

[MADDOG]

That's funny you said that Richard, I am forging a new ring! Only it's a wedding ring in 17 days from today!
MADDOG

[RGlueck]

That's what I was referring to.  Good luck!
By the way, a glass of wine every night. 
You're doing a great job with the G5 and other projects.

[MADDOG]

7-31-10 UPDATE

#35's right side valve gear assembly (all six rods) all polished and coated and ready for storage.
First coat of EXTEND rust converter on the turntable motor frame assembly.

There will NOT be a work session next Saturday-I am getting married.

We will resume on Saturday August 14th and the tasks for that day are to complete the Left side valve gear and get a second coat of Extend rust converter on the turntable motor frame.
I hope to be able to get a first coat of gray primer on the tt motor frame before we leave for the day.
MADDOG

[RGlueck]

Marriage seems like a dumb reason to avoid a work session.  Girls and trains, they rarely mix.

Best wishes to you, Gary.  I hope it's a long and happy relationship.

[MADDOG]

Thank you!
Sometimes they do mix, #35 is how I met her and she seems to have no problems with my involvement. Sometimes she even wants me to get out of the house to go to Oyster Bay.
We've been together almost 14 years, so I hope to at least double that amount of time.
Happily, when we go on vacations and I plan on a railroad museum or a rail travel opportunity, she does enjoy it and has fun.
Remember my talking about going to Maine a coupls of years ago? She had a blast!!
MADDOG

[MADDOG]

Back to work!
Saturday August 14th-
The wedding is over and the honeymoon has begun!
BUT, I still get to do OBRM stuff!!
Today, we put the right side valve gear assembly away in storage and had 2 of our volunteers take down and complete the entire left side valve gear assembly. While that was being done, 4 of our other volunteers were busy putting the 2nd coat of EXTEND on the turntable motor frame assemble in preparation for the first coat of primer.  Fortunately, since we had GREAT weather, the first coat of grey, Sherwin Williams oil based primer was applied and left to dry for the week.
Now that the Valve gear is done, we will be moving onto removing the paint from the drive wheels. This should prove to be quite the fun!
By the way, a Very fortuitous occurance happened-Someone shipped back to us, the ORIGINAL throttle for #35. This item has been missing, along with the whistle (which we know was stolen-we still have the base it was cut off from) and the headlight & backup light. We have purchased a completed PRR headlight to replace the missing one. It turned up missing at the Black River & Western RR, when #35 parts were being stored there many years ago. We also purchased (off EBAY) a PRR steam whistle that came with a letter from then-president Thomas Goodfellow from 1956.
I have posted new photos at Photobucket.
http://s674.photobucket.com/albums/vv102/THEWINEGUY35/WORKDAY%208-14-10/
MADDOG

[RGlueck]

Be very careful not to accidentally get that ball and chain tangled in the TT motor. 
How soon does she get off to the re-builders in Alabama?