 |
News Letter Index |
Various members give a report of happenings at the railroad.
Sunday, June 22 saw over 366 passengers. Power for the day was provided by 353, 400, 704, and 13.
Update on Bob Tabernacki
Bob is residing at: Bethesda Meadow (Rehab Center), 322 Old State Road, Ellisville, Mo 63021, Room 253 bed 1, 636-227-3431. http://bethesdahealth.org/residences He is improving some now that he is getting physical theropy. Speech is improving some. He really enjoys receiving short calls and visits. Also, cards. I will keep you posted as his condition changes. Thanks for your support. Carol
P.S. If all goes well, I am going to try to get Bob out for a hour or so Saturday for members day. I will need a couple of strong guys to help get him out of the car and into the wheel chair. I'm sure there are a few of those guys available.
Thanks again. Carol
We had another 'warm' sunny day despite the threat of rain early in the morning. It seemed the day was plagued with mechanical problems. 400 had difficulties with the atomizer and couldn't build pressure while pulling trains. On it's first trip of the day it had to be rescued by 13 and brought home. After some work it was sent out once more. This time it had to be rescued by 535 which had just serviced after it's third trip of the day. Coupled nose to nose, 535 operating in reverse pulled 400 and it's train back to Glencoe. Well, almost. As it crossed the service track switch near the carbar, the 535 derailed. The main, service and ballast tracked were all three blocked. Passengers had to disembark from the carbarn area. 13 was brought in on the Ballast track to disembark. The A-Frame was brought out and 535 was lifted back onto the rails. Both steamers were moved to the Roundhouse track for inspection, then put away for the day. Diesels 13 and 704 were used to finish out the day.
Don "Tennessee" Angle was on site working on 403. By the end of the day he had the locomotive steamed up and after operations, took a few members for a test run which appears to have worked fine.
Jim Scott received a surprise when he returned with 704. His family came in while he was engineering and threw him a surprise birthday party. (see picture below)
Member's Day is Saturday, June 28th. Be sure to contact Bob Hardt before Wednesday and let him know how many will be coming. The day will start off with the Ballwin Day's Parade. See Mike Brennan for details if you would like to be part of the parade.
Click here to view events from past Member's Days.
Pictures this week were provided by Jimmy Scott.
Jim Foster greeting passengers
|
Hunter DeBellis, Brakeman |
Rich Owens, Engineer
|
Mike Brennan, Conductor
|
Andrew Whapelhorst and friend
|
John Bell, Conductor
|
Jim Scott, Engineer
Grewe, Brakeman |
John Mohen, Engineer
Mike Lorance, Brakeman
|
|
|
|
|
Report on motive power as of 6/23/08:
535's tender was repaired before I left. Nothing else appeared to be damaged as far as I could tell so it can be hooked back up and run.
400 had firing problems. Someone will need to pull and clean atomizer and check fuel line. Atomizer should also be secured firmly with a bracket but that isn't the firing problem. It seemed to be a fuel delivery issue but I recall someone saying something about having problems with a regulator not to long ago. Don't remember if they were talking about 400 or 928.
13 Needs someone to go in and tighten hydrualic fittings. Jim Scott believes it is coming from around the pump. Would appreciate if someone could work on this while I'm gone. Let me know if you can.
403 sounded beautiful Sunday when we finally got out at the end of the day. First time I've ever heard it's chuff. New valves, rings, and a draft adjustment have made a huge difference. Still has a few minor details like good safeties and blocking out some of the water glass (bottom is actually below the crown sheet) before it can be cut loose to the membership. I will be out of town the next two weekends but should be able to have ready for service 7/13.
401 is mothballed until winter. Went to put valve gear on it last weekend and discoverred loose crankpins on drivers 1 & 3 on engineer's side. With having to drop drivers now, still having to fix exhaust leaks, suspension, and re-plumb supply lines, it is just too much work and too much has to be torn down to do during operating season. Hopefully nothing major happens to anything else between now and then so we can concentrate on it and get done this winter.
534 will be tackled as soon as we can get the boiler back. If no problems with other engines, good chance we can have ready for fall season.
5205 Waiting on some revisions to hydraulic tank and then we can get it back together in a day or so. Hoping to have ready by 7/13 also.
180 is also out for season. If someone really wanted to run, could put old valves back in it and time but I don't see taking my time to do at this point. Cylinders need to be pulled out, bored and a new liner made and installed so we can install new valves with rings. Existing ports will not allow rings. Openings are too big and ring would catch.
Click here to return to the news index page
