Hello All!
On October 21st, 2017, the Buffalo Creek #43 crew and I started #43 for the last time this year before we had to dump the water and cover the radiators. The four minute YouTube video below shows how we did. Unfortunately we only have two traction motors fully wired at this time and we need all four to make our first move. Over the winter we will get the other two ready for next spring. We do have 11
used loaner batteries on the engine to keep the generators energized and operate the compressor, radiator fan and lights.
When #43 rolled out of the ALCO Schenectady shops in 1940, it was wired for Series/Parallel operation which would have allowed it to move with one pair of motors. But, sometime in the last 40 years, it was rewired for Series operation only necessitating all four motors be connected.
After it reluctantly started the engine ran good for over 2 hours and 13 gallons of diesel fuel. However, it gave us a chance to check out the systems we reconditioned over the summer and to charge the 11 on board loaner batteries. A huge shout out to Pat Connors and the BSOR for all their help moving this restoration along and to John Mech (Alcoman) for all his valuable Mechanical and Electrical manuals!
https://youtu.be/qCy-TesXCQc
fswork1117a.jpg
As always, you can visit our website for all the details of our restoration progress.
http://www.trainweb.org/wnyrhs/bc43Frame1Source1.htm
Sincerely, Scott H.