FROM OBRM-
It's been a while since my last update, so forgive me.
While John P, our resident Diesel Guru has been replacing sheet metal along the lower walls of former LIRR GE-25 tonner #398, we have also been busy on the continued restoration of our Ping Pong Coach(PPC) #7433. since I last posted, we have replaced all of the felt window strips along the vertical sides. We haven't yet found new top and bottom weather seals, but the search is ongoing. We had C&J Mobile "DUSTLESS" Sandblasting of Port Jefferson Station come up to strip the PPC of all paint. It was a two week job but produced very nice results which now shows us "problem areas" which will need to be addressed with a needle scaler for further removal of deeply embedded "stuff". This work has been undertaken by Bernard, George, Fred, Paul, Leon, "Hicksville' Danny, 'Lynbrook' Danny and me.
At this point we are just letting the car go to rust so we can later roll on a nice coating of "Loctite Extend" which will convert the rust to a rust free coating. The roof is already there. Over the Summer we will begin to weld in the previously fabricated tubular steel crossmembers.
Also, steel work on the tender has begun with a new front corner piece of 1/4" thick steel plate which we had Aquel Sheetmetal of Harlem custom roll for us. Being in two pieces, our welder and fabricator, Fred Rubin has already assembled the parts into one major sub-assembly ready for a new bottom, then installation. This piece was previously removed before #35 was transferred to Mitchel Field.
While all of this has been going on, we also have been making great strides on the turntable electrification.
As of yesterday, Saturday July 6th, we had run the four conductors from the turntable collector box on top to the master cutoff switch, the 4 conductors from that same switch to the main breaker box, the four main power cables from the breaker box to the meter pan and finally from the meter pan up the pole to the weather head.
Future work will allow us to make the final electrical connection to the grid and to the motor/resistor bank and to the control stand. As it looks now, we should have the turntable ready for test runs by the Oyster Festival in October. Barring any unforeseen circumstances!!
All volunteers previously mentioned along with me, Steve T, John S with guidance by our electrician-Steve Bauer.
Thanks to Wonderland Tree Service of Oyster Bay for lending us a hand by loaning us a Bucket truck and an operator-Mario.
Also, the west wall of the Historic Presidential RR Station has been completely stripped of paint along with the oyster shells.
Strangely enough, our historic paint analyst has found that the oyster shells were originally NOT PAINTED and some of the wooden trim was only varnished with clear coating. Once we get the new Tudor trim installed over the summer, our historic painting contractor will begin the final painting. Our goal is to then move on to the North side to replace the bricked up windows and door assemblies.
Please view our Facebook page for updated photos from our work sessions.
Thank you
MADDOG
