Official Bel-Del Discussion Thread

[Donko142]

Friday, Jan 22, is scheduled to be a shop cleanup day. Saturday and Sunday, Jan 23 & 24, will begin work necessary for annual inspection. IE. remove and inspect turrent steam valves, remove water glasses, inspect cab valves, air pump valves, etc. Lots to do.
Time 9A to 6P at Baer. We have plenty of wood and propane for shop heating.
Please come and help, something for everyone to do at the shop.

[Donko142]

Like always the shop was a busy place last weekend. For those interested we are working every Friday- Saturday- Sunday and sometimes an additional day till were into May at least.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... jgd9qw.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kurt was working on the air compressor rebuild with John on Saturday,

Chris and the kids were almost done getting the floor up in one of the coaches for a new floor and super clean up.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... zojshf.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was working on the high flange issue on the 146, going well thanks to Wheel truing services.

http://vid249.photobucket.com/albums/gg ... wabkbc.mp4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The company make a brake shoe with carbide inserts as shown, http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 1g0mir.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Always looking for more help

[Donko142]

Click here for updates from Friday Feb/12th if you have facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/578418682307209/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Donko142]

It was a normal day in the shop Friday with many of the regular crew. Don #5 was working with Don #2 on all the valves in the cab, there's a lot of them..They all get taken apart, cleaned, inspected and lapped before being put back together. Steve and Gary were working on the rewire of the Tender and other sections of the loco that didn't get done last year. I was still working on the brake shoe shuffle on the 146. Will see what Saturday brings.. The heat is already on lol

Don number #3 was removing valves from the cab.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... w0rooy.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don # 2 cleans, inspects and deals with any issues, then speaks with Gary to see if it's cleared for reassembly with the CMO
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... er07t8.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Last winter with loco was rewired, if anyone noticed in 2015 the loco had multiple new inspection lights.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... qsyr6w.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I continued with the Brake shoe shuffle. As seen in the video from a few days ago, the cutting shoes have been working great. We haven't cut any corners on this project so I didn't want to start now. The lead axle had high flanges that were just barely out of service. I don't ever want to deal with this again in my lifetime so were really taking off some serious meat. Truck 2 is about done, the engine will be move and jacked up again for truck 1.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... se0qcr.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We always need more help

[Donko142]

Saturday was cold, to cold outside so the wheel work on 146 was put on hold. The shop really wasn't that bad, the Don's have been taking the backhead down more every week. Note all the gauges are removed for testing, one can see the water glass valve removed from the engineers side glass bottom.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... fc28ny.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gary and Keith removed the two piece floating piston valve from the fireman's side, it will most likely get a new set of rings and a new hone is already on hand for the bores. This is one of a few things different on this engine vs a US engine with one piece valve. I'm sure if they kept building steam in the US after 1950 the engines would have had these before long.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... g3ioi0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The engineers side put up a fight, and the boys had to add a little heat.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 597gzy.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don's #1,4&5 worked in the Milford shop on the hi rail truck.

More helpers needed and welcome.

[Donko142]

Today was a good day (there always good days when your working on the RR and not at work) today crews worked on the 142 and the 146. Don #5 worked on cleaning the piston valves.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... nb3h1.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don # 2 and Steve worked on getting the tender ready for the split compressing the buffer plates. STOP DOWN AND GET INVOLVED, Like always we have a lot of laughs and always have a good lunch. Today we realized #2 is approaching middle age at 78 years old. (Don is proof you really work in the steel mill. At 78 he still works like he's 38) Don setting up for the split

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... hrqp8.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On the agenda for this weekend.
Crew 1 Work on 142, Crew 2 work on coach interior, crew 3 complete wheel work on Truck #2 on 146. Install new fenders on hi rail truck and prep for new paint job. Cut 3 down trees between CPG and Carpendersville. Sign off duty, leave railroad property and have tall cold beer at the top of the hill with some good people..

Weather is getting nice, come get involved something for everyone.
Be Safe

[RailsEast]

Holy crow, we're up to #5 on the Don list, very cool. Beautiful weather forecast for this weekend; like Donko says, always a good day on the RR alongside the beautiful Delaware River, and something for everyone. Grab your boots & gloves & come on out...real world railroad experience for everyone. See you at the shop on Sunday morning, sir.......
Chris

[Donko142]

Today was an awesome day at the RR, the kind I love. Perfect weather !!!!!! Truck 2 is complete with the high flanges cut down far past legal, she was jacked up blocking removed and lowered back on the rails. Like every project you get better after each try. Pete was checking things out with the wheel gauge, he was a huge help with this project today.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... llsaw.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Today we had lots of good cuts, were you get a piece of steel multiple feet long and the carbide set up just right
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... vdxub.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is the biggest one we got, that is one piece of steel, over 1/4 inch was removed. http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... ttzhr.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Devin and Chad were working on the 501, our newest coach to be added to the fleet this spring. The welder is coming in the next few weeks to build new steps.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... ifnf5.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tommy the tree guy (AKA the squirrel) dropped over 10 BIG trees today, we will be cutting these up for a few weeks.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... osnmw.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chris and crew were installing the new commercial grade carpet in the 533
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... x89re.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With the weather staying warm tomorrow we should have another awesome day !!!!
Always room for more help.

[Donko142]

With the best weather we could possibly ask for in February we got lots done.. Sunday was another good day, as I had advised before with each wheel you get better and faster. Yesterday with the help of Chris and Rob and a 9:00am start we got all 4 wheels on truck number 1 cut down and ready to go. The picture below shows wide long strings of a high wheel flange, even though this wheel was legal to start we are cutting no corners on this project. We took another 1/4 off. After 6 years and over 40k the 146 is weeks away from a blue card. http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... t7gx4.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Chris played engineer in the air for the day and did a great job, this type of work required a delicate hand. Rob and I worked the ground as a team and gave Chris the signals, worked out great. All wheels cut and ready to polish the high iron..
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 40fqf.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Chris and crew finished the new floor in the coach and started putting the seat frames back in. Tommy kept going all day on the tree removal and is working today as well.

MOW work parties will be starting stortly.

Be safe

[Donko142]

A group of guys are working on 142 today, tomorrow crews will be on the coaches. Sunday the weather looks real good again, could be finishing up on 146 and dropping it back on the rails, working on the hyrail truck or picking up wood for a the stove. The RR just took down a line of large trees in the new section, track work will continue once the roots are removed.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... rexbi.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice weather, more help needed.

[Donko142]

Well with this weather things are moving right along, volunteers worked on the sheet metal on the 501 the last few days. Last weekend was the normal steam team, the brush cutter has been out the last three days in a row.

I added a before and after. After not being done but how it looks after I made a few passes.

Before in the new track extention
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... zlc1b.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 8bggt.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rules/training classes April 3rd in Phillipsburg.

[Donko142]

With so many different people from so many different walks of life we have something going on almost every day of the week. Last weekend multiple people worked on the steam engine, were hoping to have the 142 out in May and she will be going South further then every so far. A group was getting the coaches ready for the Easter trips. I'm off during the week this week, so I've been out on the brush cutter for the last three days. While Don #3 and #5 have been working on the hyrail truck

Before
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... suhkn.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... tzkv0.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mighty Mouse is an awesome little machine !! This is possible the best money the group ever spent on something other then the train set. While I'm not taking down 12" thick trees she does pretty dam good for a 17,000 lbs unit.. Operators wanted, something for everyone.. Rules class April 3rd.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... 9n6mw.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Be safe

[Donko142]

This Saturday will be our first brush cutting party for 2016. We will be working on the Southern part of the line. The brush cutter has been working between MP 38 and CPG for the last two weeks. Safety shoes and glasses a must. Safety meeting at the power plant crossing 0830hrs. We will be looking to take down 30 to 40 trees " no monsters". Lunch will be in Milford. Reach out if you would like to help.

[Donko142]

A lot has happened since my last post 2 weeks ago. The 2016 Rules Class was completed, crew are putting 142 back together. The air system was sent to Pabco for the 45 ton GE. A group of volunteers workers had a brush clearing party on 2nd.

See below. The speeders took up the rear as we worked our way South from CPG. The rack body was a big help and was able to collect firewood for next year. We had 7 guys so things went pretty fast.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... gp0fm.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As we were brush clearing Don #3 and #5 were working on the hi rail truck. The old truck needs alot of TLC but she's only has 60k so she she's getting it. "New" fenders, 1 door, interior work, rims, a rebuilt motor, the rear body is being sandblasted and painted along with the frame and the hi rail gear is getting a go over,,,,,, for starters.

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg20 ... qja3h.jpeg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Another example of something for everyone...

[alzubal]

Just wondering if everything is alright have not had an up date in quite a while.
Al