Submitted by Steve Winicker
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
I spent most of Monday picking up boards for the Wabash Caboose project, followed by some mowing. Tuesday was spent cleaning up around the shop area and putting together tools for cleaning the drawbars. Thursday Diane mowed grass, Jim cleaned off the drawbars and continued with that project on Friday. John and I installed the rail washer valve with a new universal and alignment that should make it work better. Later once the draw bars were cleaned, we checked them for wear, used Magnaflux to look for cracks and hammer tested them in the late afternoon. With no drawbar problems being noted; on Saturday Joe, Jim, Austin, Dave, and I put the drawbars back on the engine and connected the engine and tender once again. Once done with that work those who did not go home, decided to sit, and watch DJ and Rob put siding on the caboose. Sunday Jim worked on bolting up the stoker tube connections and fastening up hoses and other connections between the engine and tender. After a bit of struggle with bolts and space the stoker tube was bolted together, and the buffer compression bolt removed.
It was a food feast weekend with Headwaters Junction furnishing some tasty left-over sandwiches Friday evening from their open house event. On Saturday Jim and Diane provided lunch. If you missed it there is still a supply of sandwiches in the refrigerator. I don’t expect the sandwiches will survive until the weekend so come out early this week. Thanks to Dave Cox we have water to drink.
Another milestone was putting siding on the cupola of the caboose’s north side front and back. The south side still requires some work. The work was completed by Rich, DJ and Rob. Earlier Tom, John and Dave worked on brake valves and plumbing.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
On tap for the coming week is the further installation of piping, Stay bolt tell-tail plugging and tender interior painting. Doesn’t take long to stay but most of these items will require considerable work.
SAFETY SENSE
COVID-19 Plan of Action !
- All building occupants are expected wear a mask and provide their own face covering when working in groups not able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance. (some masks are available at the shop)
- A pre-job briefing will be held each morning on how to limit the spread of the Corona virus.
- Specific emphasis on 6’ social / physical distancing (where possible)
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and practice good personal hygiene habits. (soap and water provided)
- The Society will provide disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer in the shop. (also located on the counter by the sink)
- We are encouraging volunteers to stay home if they are sick. Must be fever free (less than 100.4 degrees) for 24 hours without medication before coming to the shop or other Society functions. (actually, we are insisting you not show up if sick, period)
- The shop will remain closed to public visitors. Properly attired visitors are permitted in the shop. Social distancing is required.
Further we are constantly monitoring the CDC and the State of Indiana for updates regarding preventative measures to communicate to our volunteers.
We continue to ask everyone to do their part. The best line of defense for protecting your health, and the health of those around you, is to practice good personal hygiene.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we all strive to keep our employees and communities safe and healthy. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed as we move forward.
FWRHS Board of Directors
SAFETY IS JOB 1
SAFETY FIRST ALWAYS
