but in the end, we had a second coach with a new floor. But this was not all. Member Keith Dorn took on the challenge of loosening the seat frames. The Long Island Railroad welded them shut as a safety issue while they still had them. Walkover seats today have either a gravity clutch, much like a seat belt, or a lock to circumvent the issue. Our original estimate was four man-hours per seat to undo the welds, but Keith had it down to as little as 20 minutes per seat. We now have a coach where the seats flip again. Once the word was out that Thomas the Tank T he fun never ends! Every year immediately after Polar Express, the real work gets started in the Mechanical Department. Our 142 was torn to pieces as usual, though the list of winter work really didn’t have any major ticket items this year, at least to start off. There were more than enough minor ones to keep the crew busy. With some well attended Saturday sessions pretty much the norm this go-round, the most interesting remark came the first weekend of March when it was said, as a reference to how well things were coming along, “We’re putting parts back on the engine already.” And then came the yearly inspection. While doing a hydro test for the F.R.A., three staybolts in the firebox began weeping. After the one replaced last year, and with the engine becoming twenty years old, this is not totally unexpected, but it caused a delay in finishing off the winter cycle in time for the May regular season opening as the lagging must be removed to expose the bolts. Then, the weeping bolts must be drilled out and new ones welded in before replacing the lagging. Meantime, the 530 and 533 were paired off and set Engine would be visiting this year, planning for that event began in earnest. I am covering all the preparations for that in the Thomas story, but all else went on hold until after the event. One such project I hope to get to this year is to start the permanent wiring for lights and power to the station, especially after the Thomas work damaged the current installation. This year we also will be doing work on #142’s tender. Plans are to lift the tank off of the tender frame and replace the wooden deck it sits on. Sheet metal work will continue on the Long Island Railroad ( Susquehanna) passenger cars, we will construct an open air flat car, and complete necessary brake work on all equipment. Two more of the Long Island Railroad cars will also have their floors replaced and our last Bi-Level car will be cleaned and finally put into service. If the budget permits we will also be painting some of the cars exteriors this year. Finally coming to completion is the RDC M-1 project. Over the last year the whole interior has been rebuilt with a new tile floor being installed soon. With all seats replaced, and new tile she should be better than new. As I see it, there are five distinct sections of our Society: Membership, which holds the member meetings and special events; Publications, which puts out the Reflector and calendar and keeps the archives; Maywood, the All of our hard work paid off this year! For the second time we won the Warren County Tourism Award. This year for “A Day Out With Thomas”. Above President John Stocker, Vice President Chris Cotty, Trustee Kevin Griggs and Trustee/Mechanical Department Chairman Martin Den Bleyker receive the award. committee that restored and runs that station; Operations, which runs the Phillipsburg trains and Mechanical, which keeps our equipment. You can contact the latter two through Mechaniin front of the shop. The 533 was there for its generator, but 530’s floor was becoming a nightmare, popping tiles off it at an alarming pace. We tore up the floor and found it was a layer of ¾” plywood, then ½” plywood, then a layer of luan, basically a thin sheet of veneer wood, and finally the tiles glued to that. Therein lay the problem. The luan was easily ripped off with the tile still holding on wholesale. Combined with some water leaks, this was the culprit. It was the only car laid out that way. A few “million” nails had to be removed or hammered down from its installation before the tile could be attached to the plywood remaining. Much of the plywood along the windows was replaced due to the water, 23 cal@nyswths.org for information about helping out in either department. Our members stepped up and delivered in July, even on the operating Fridays. But, we’re always looking for new people to help with the routine days as well, which are the base upon which we can do the big events.
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