News Letter Index

Various members give a report of happenings at the railroad.

Saturday April 26, 2008

Car barn: Superintendent Scott

Jim & Jimmy Scott, Jim Keaton-Worked on Wagner car frames and did some cleanup in the shop to prepare for opening day.

Roundhouse: Superintendent Tabernacki

Devin Lawson and Jim Strain put 400 back together and hydro tested boiler for the new season.

Machine Shop: Superintendent Errante

Building & Grounds: Superintendent Lorance-

Mike Lorance, Hank Welch, and David Neubauer worked on area around crew shack etc. continuing the clean up from flood damage.

Maintenance of Way: Superintendent Welch - see above

Signals: Superintendent Bitsch:

Dale completed the reassembly of the signal system control boxes and successfuly brought the signal system back online.  He took a little extra time to re-label all of the wires. 

Sunday, April 27, 2008

SHAKEDOWN SUNDAY.

Several members made it out to test equipment and help with final touches before the 2008 opening day. Locomotives 400, 535, and 13 saw passenger service as we carried 21 passengers. There were a couple of problems worked out. 400 had a stuck throttle that was quickly fixed by Devin Lawson and new member Don Angles. 535 needed some repair on a tender truck and is back in service as of Monday. Steve Haack and crew hydro tested and fired 928. Jim Scott tutored Paula Shaw for brakeman (person) duties. Harold Wind and crew worked to prepare other steamers and did some work on the 5205 which received a new engine this winter. Crews also continued work to get the Crewshack presentable for the public. Doors to the public bathrooms will be replaced due to damage from the flood. The refigerator and soda machine received a power washer bath and placed back in service.

Wayne Mossbacher assisted Dale Bitsch in checking out ALL of the sensors after the long winter and the March flood.  The Grand Avenue Signal Lights and Bell are functional. All, but one sensor, were found to be functioning properly.  The bad sensor is a limit switch on the Yard Lead switch stand.  This sensor indicates when the switch is thrown for the Yard Lead. Dale has tempoarily disconnected the sensor as it was always staying in the ON position.  A new switch sensor is on order and will be replaced when it arrives (hopefully within the next week).  In the meantime, the Yard Dwarf signal will not be functioning correctly (It always shows Red) until the bad switch sensor is replaced. [The PLC will interpret this as the switch is either thrown for the Mainline or is half-way thrown and therefor not set for either track].   The rest of the signals are functioning correctly (dispite the bad sensor). The two Dwarfs in the Station will be brought back on line once electrical power is restored to the west side of the Grand Aveune crossing. (hopefully before opening Sunday). 

Monday 4/28/08

Roundhouse: Superintendent Tabernacki:

Harold Wind and Tabernacki fixed problem with front truck on 535’s tender. Cause of problem was king pin was pushed up into frame. Solution was to pull king pin back down and put twisted wire keeper through hole in bottom of king pin to prevent pin from rising up through socket on bolster plate.

Wednesday April 30, 2008 

Car barn: Superintendent Scott

Jim Keaton and Jim Scott continue work on first new Wagner car frame. Jimmy Scott and Brennan – new name tags.

Roundhouse: Superintendent Tabernacki

Harold Wind installed fuel filter and replaced right side water hose injector feed on 928. Bob T made spanner for new hydraulic pump on 5205.

Machine Shop: Superintendent Errante - No Report

Building & Grounds: Superintendent Lorance -

Hank replaced crew shack bathroom doors

Maintenance of Way: Superintendent Welch -

Work to prepare for opening day. Gary Sedovic cleaned leaves from yard switches.

Signals: Superintendent Bitsch - No Report

 

Photos provided by Jimmy Scott, Gary Sedovic, and Jim Strain

Valvo Tractor being hauled away (Scott)

Steve Haack preparing 928 (Sedovic)

Carbarn Superintendent Jim Scott (Sedovic)

Sunday's Trainmaster Jim Greathouse enjoying a doughnut (Sedovic)

Engineer John Mohen on #13 with Jim Scott tutoring Paula Shaw (Sedovic)

April 26 was the first run day for the Live-Steamers in Eureka. (Strain)

The trail tunnel under Old State Rd. is taking shape.(Strain)
Think it is wide enough for bikes and locos???