well folks, the work progresses...

another question has arisen. Over the years the seals on the window 'modules' have deteriorated and we have a situation of condensation and deposits (hard water?)on the interior of the double pane construction. I have had the broken panes replaced in two of the units, however the glass company was unable to identify the seals for replacement and recommended a complete rebuild of the modules with a new 'gas-filled' sealed unit.

monetarily, this is out of the question at this time.

do any of you know of a silicone or other sealant that can be used to seal the windows for the time being? It is important that the sealant doesn't "off gas" and cloud the glazing after we clean it.

thanks ahead of time for any suggestions and help.

'doc' Lewis

PS--thanks for the kind words (history) below on UP618--it continues to serve us well. We began our annual "Polar Express" trains this last weekend. Four trains at nearly 250 capacity each--sold out!


Heber Valley Railroad
utweyesguy@aol.com

Hey 'doc',

Can you give some history on #5340? I'm a longtime SLC resident and remember it sitting out at the International Center by the airport about 20 years ago. At the time it was painted red, white, and blue with lettering for the Golden Spike Centennial. How did it come to be in Heber?

I don't have an answer to your window question, but if you need any volunteer labor assistance I'm willing and able.

> well folks, the work progresses...

> another question has arisen. Over the years
> the seals on the window 'modules' have
> deteriorated and we have a situation of
> condensation and deposits (hard water?)on
> the interior of the double pane
> construction. I have had the broken panes
> replaced in two of the units, however the
> glass company was unable to identify the
> seals for replacement and recommended a
> complete rebuild of the modules with a new
> 'gas-filled' sealed unit.

> monetarily, this is out of the question at
> this time.

> do any of you know of a silicone or other
> sealant that can be used to seal the windows
> for the time being? It is important that the
> sealant doesn't "off gas" and
> cloud the glazing after we clean it.

> thanks ahead of time for any suggestions and
> help.

> 'doc' Lewis

> PS--thanks for the kind words (history)
> below on UP618--it continues to serve us
> well. We began our annual "Polar
> Express" trains this last weekend. Four
> trains at nearly 250 capacity each--sold
> out!


davew833@yahoo.com

"the glass company was unable to identify the
> seals for replacement and recommended a
> complete rebuild of the modules with a new
> 'gas-filled' sealed unit.

It has been 12 years or so since I last worked with windows, but if you have Adlake or another common streamlined-car sash, the necessary gasket should still be available from a transportation-window supplier. Your local glass shop probably can't help you. The "E"-shaped gasket used in Adlake sash, that holds the twin panes of glass, was available from Power Parts Company of Chicago, and at least one other supplier whose name escapes me. Look for these suppliers under "glazing" in the index of the Pocket List of Railway Officials, and ask for their catalogs of rubber window gaskets. You should get a catalog of full-size sections of rubber gasket silhouettes, that you can compare with your material. Get a whole car's worth of the gasket that seals the sash against the carside while you're at it, to keep your carsides from rusting out from leakage. Do not try to re-use old gasket material. Remember that it has been exposed to atmospheric ozone for 40 years and is no longer flexible. Be alert for minor differences in the glass thickness or sheet-metal gauge that could keep the gasket from functioning properly - get a sample and try it to be sure before ordering 400 feet of it. Gaskets that appear to have the same cross-section may be subtly different.

You may want to use silicone caulk to seal the carbody gasket against imperfections in the steelwork, but do not use this stuff to glue the sash in if you ever want to get it out easily.

Aarne Frobom
The Steam Railroading Institute
P. O. Box 665
Owosso, MI 48840-0665

froboma@mdot.state.mi.us