I was looking at the NCTM web site and was wondering about the status of the N&W combine that was to have been finished in early 2004. It has been several years since I have been up that way, and I would like to ask someone about the side sheet replacement, specifically, what thickness metal was used, and were fake rivets installed or were screws used, etc.

Some of the photos show the floor completely out of the car. Was this necessary due to failure, or because of ACMs. How was the floor replaced/repaired?

Thanks.

Can't speak as to the technical specs Stephen, but when I was up there 3 weeks or so ago, they were starting to shoot paint on the interior, and the exterior looked complete and primed to me. I wouldn't hesitate to zap John an email and inquire about the details.

dave

Here you go!

1. Thickness of metal on the new side sheets was 1/8".

2. Fasteners used were a mix of real hot rivets and screws.

3. The condition of the floor was beyond patching. So it was gutted and 4" of concrete was poured.

The car has been painted. We are working on details like doors, diaphragms, flooring, seats, and the wheelchair lift.

I'm sure there will be people telling me it's the wrong color. When Dupont donates the Imron, you don't complain about the shade:-) I think it looks good. The car is not a restoration, but an adaptive reuse and liberties were taken to provide for long service and lower maintenance. Maybe someday I will find the time to write a brief.

Feel free to email me off the board if you have other questions, or feel free to stop by and see the car.

John Bechtel
shaymech at hotmail.com

John, a brief about the car would be great, and if you wanted to expand it into an article about converting to ABDW like you did it, it would be great and helpful technical information for many of us.

dave

John,

Thanks for the info. I'll be looking forward to a Brief or Article on restoration of the car, and for an opportunity to get back up to Spencer for a an over-due visit.

Dave,

The conversion to ABDW was through the installation of a "brake box" fabricated by the folks at Pittsburg Airbrake. All we did was make some blanking plates, add a reservoir and run new pipes. The "box" did the rest.

No need to re-invent the wheel.

JohnB