Submitted by Steve Winicker
LAST WEEKENDS SHOP ACTIVITY
Monday, I looked inside the tender and collected painting supplies. There are still some random areas that need scaling and pre-treating. I spent some time spraying on Ospho and determined there would not be enough to finish the tender, so I ordered more. Heat exhaustion threatening I knocked off for the day and took a nap.
Tuesday being uninspired I mowed a bit of grass.
Wednesday, Zach, Chuck, and Brody trimmed and drove the new Stay bolts. Activity to get the boiler ready for a hydro will start in earnest July 24th. In the meantime, we have some lapping and washing to do. I neglected last weeks report to credit Grant with removing the water glasses and reaming out the passages the connect the glasses and the water column to the boiler. I spent Wednesday repacking the water glasses and with Brody’s assistance reapplied the glasses to the locomotive with new packing and glass tubes.
Thursday was spent working on the intermediate check valve on the injector. John made a sleeve for the check disk to reduce the movement it had on the hinge fitting and a new hinge pin. This keeps this check valve centered on the seat in the injector body and we hope improves its functioning.
Friday Jeremy and I straitened up the shop welding rod oven. We spent some time washing scale knocked off the sheets onto the mud ring and in the process found several staybolt stubs, which I believe accounts for all the cut off bolts. We were joined in this effort by Matt and Don Lee late in the day. They completed the mud ring washing and retrieved the Hydro pump for the pallet racks.
Saturday, we celebrated the 4th by lapping in the blow down screens and installing the blow downs and some piping. Brody and I loaded painting supplies onto the tender deck to make ready for painting the inside of the tank.
Sunday, I knocked out a section of the tender scaling. Being weak from hunger I climbed out and ate lunch. Then being uninspired with doing more scaling, I spent the rest of the day mowing grass.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
The tender scaling project is moving along and will be the focus of next week until done. I have been sure it would be finished by now but I keep finding more areas to work on so I am not promising it will be done by weeks end but we are closing in on it. If you have not had a chance to scale rust your opportunity to do so is closing fast. Also, on tap is lapping a few more valves. The boiler check and the blow downs can use some attention.
We are still on track to do the Hydrostatic test on July 27th. The 24th, 25th and 26th will be devoted to making last minute preparation. Please plan to join in if you are able.
SAFETY SENSE
Indiana is now recommending the wearing of face masks when venturing outside the home and anytime you are working along side of others with less than 6 feet of spacing. Following are the shop Corona Virus plan that is in effect.
COVID-19 Plan of Action !
- All building occupants are expected wear a mask and provide their own face protection. (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.
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
