Last post it could be seen, the carlines had badly rotted wood ribs. All the ribs have been removed from the between and on the sides of the carlines. We have jokingly started to call the wood, sandwich wood, since it acts like a club sandwich to the carlines, and is what gives them support.  With them out now, the carlines are extremely flimsy. Nothing wrong, just interesting how these roofs were engineered!

A good rib (well good enough) was saved, so new ribs can be made at a CNC shop.

As to the concerns of the carlines having structural issues, there is no worry here. As can be seen in these pictures, the roof line is pretty perfect. There will be some metal fabrication work done, in just a couple spots, but nothing near as bad as we expected. 

These pictures show a much more cleaned up roof skeleton, from the last that were posted. Progress is moving nicely and efficiently. 

Anyone interested in helping out with this project please contact Jeff directly. Jeffb60md@aol.com.  We have a lot to do on this car, and she has served the museum well for many years, so she deserves it !!!!

The striping of the roof of 4451, led us to find that all the carline wood is rotted. We further realized that the ceiling is/was all screwed to the wood, and not the metal parts of the carlines. We can see where this is going.... So out with the ceiling. All the fixtures were removed and carefully packed. Then all the panels removed. The panels will be blasted and painted out of the car, (which they needed severe paint service anyway) while the carlines are being replaced.

Maybe we just take the roof off completely and make it an open air car???? 

The roof is now completely off, all under structure is exposed, and all has been thoroughly cleaned. 

Mother Nature has different plans on painting the exposed components painted than we have. We can not apply paint in the cold, and are anxiously waiting for 60+ degrees to start.

4288 had the roof partially torn off, some parts in the process of being replaced, and other parts still just as they were when the car was pulled into the barn years, and years ago. With 4451 rotting away, it was abundantly clear it needed to come inside NOW. So KRB Construction, who has been a great contractor for us, took on the task of finishing what was started so very long ago!

Well during the months of January and February, the roof was completed.

Canvas will go on when (IF, LOL) the weather warms up.

Our two 4000's being coupled together and moved with 5 (both engines!)

HOLY CRAP !!!! KRB was able to safely and correctly remove the years of racoon wasteAll done, with water and Ice shield over the entire roof. 4288 is ready to give up her spot, to allow her brother 4451 to get some attentionWe learned a lot on this car. This has prepared us for the massive roof job that 4451 needs!!!  Stay tuned!

20 had it's roof trolley boards, saddles, and all appliances stripped off and all replaced during the month of March.

Mike and Jeff took her out for a test run on the last day of March, and all was well. Ready for RTV and 2018 season!

As many know all too well, 458 has been plagued with brake issues for years now. Fred, Mike, and I, in an effort to get out of the cold, got inside the barn on Sunday. We all were working on some outdoor tasks, and had our fill of the cold.

So we had a little air brake school. I got to play "Brake Chamber Aerobics", as we swapped out the service and emergency chambers several times, for different reasons.

We did find a hidden mud wasp nest, and did a little happy dance when we thought that was it, but then the problem just changed. 

We do now have a circuit diagram on hand of the triple valve and the brake system as a whole. We plan to work it just like an electrical diagram, to narrow down our issue.

The three of us slept good that night! I must say that I didn't much mind, as my knowledge of triple valves now is much better! Maybe it was lifting the 100+ lb valves up and down a dozen times, that helped solidify the info into the old noodle! 

After much inspection and adjustment attempts, Chuck and Jeff are going to reconvene on this. The good new is the the door motor is not fried. Probably took some life off it, but still working. We plan to address the gear box next. Fred was so kind as to lend some helpful advise. Stay tuned as we look for the correct fix!

Good Evening All,

As we continue to grow and do more cool stuff, we want to get the progress and info out to everyone as quick and efficient as possible.

Bear with us on this, as we stumble our way around, but the Car Department is making an effort to keep everyone in the loop!

Jeff