Submitted by Steve Winicker.
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
While I was not too ambitious this past weekend a few projects moved ahead. The 765 was taken out to dump ashes and the firebrick was removed from the firebox in preparation for this winters work. The firebox is now semi cleaned out and we can proceed with the dirty work next weekend. The rods on the right side of the engine were cleaned and will be coated with some Rust-pruf for the winter. We unloaded a number of signal masts and signal heads that were donated to us. Finally, I filed most of the FRA and FWRHS paperwork for the engine in the office file.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
The plan for next week end is to: get the cleaned rods coated with WeatherPruf, get the coal out of the tender, which will necessitate moving the gons next to the engine and reversing the loading process. Hopefully we will be able to blow out flues and clean out the smoke box as well. Possibly give the engine a bath as well. Provided that gets done we should be closing in on removing the boiler jacketing and insulation so we can survey the outside of the boiler and begin on the 1472-day inspection and annual work.
Other items
Joe is hoping to work on the electrical system in the shop next weekend so there may be a lack of 110-volt power at the shop much of the day Saturday. This should not interfere with the work on the 765 since the nature of that work is going to require being out side.
SAFETY SENSE
We all realize how important eye protection and the wearing of safety glasses is here during Society work and operations. However, this topic is as important for home as it is here at the Society.
Lawn Care
Whether you are mowing the lawn, using the weed wacker or using a chainsaw or pruning sheers to cut back branches on a tree you should wear your eye protection. Each year thousands of people go to the emergency room with eye injuries while taking care of their lawn.
Sports
Every year thousands of people, many of which are children, damage or lose their vision from sports-related eye injuries. However, the good news is that 90 percent of these eye injuries are preventable if appropriate protective eye wear is worn. Encourage your children, grandchildren and participating adults to wear eye protection while playing tennis, baseball, softball or basketball. Unlike what we have here at the Society, many stores such as Dicks Sporting Goods sell very stylish safety glasses including durable safety sun glasses. Buying a set of these for your children may encourage their use even more.
Other Activities
Paintball, hunting, target shooting, wood working and many other leisure activities also have a history of causing eye injuries when the participants are not using the proper eye protection. Ensure you and your families are protected during these activities.
Vision is a terrible thing to lose when prevention is easy by just wearing safety glasses when the conditions necessitate.
