We recently removed all the guages from the cab for restoration due to some of them being damaged. I have a question about parts. Are the indicator pointers available for replacement or is it something you have to have remade?
Interestingly one of our guages predates the Locomotive which co-incides with the story I was told about the guages being acquired after the Locomotive was brought here.

Another thought is the brass. Does one polish them up or leave them as is as they do have a nice coloring to them right now. So far it has been a case of taking them apart carefully and giving them a good detailed cleaning and anti rust treatment and then reassembly.
Look forward to your input.

Cosmetic restoration is cleaning and finishing the case, restoring the face as required, assembly with good glass, polishing the bezel and coating it with clear laquer, and reinstallation. If your pointer is gone, you might be able to find a replacement - or just borrow one from another gage and xerox it and stick it on. I've also made new faces for vandalized gages by the xerox-another-one method. Don't make it any more difficult than that.

dave

Are you serious?? Photocopy a pointer and put it in? I have never heard of that! I Would think it wouldn't look right. I am going to check back through earlier pics of our cab and see if some pointers are similiar and then see about getting them copied in metal

The pointer is a sapling in the forest of the locomotive. See the forest around the tree. To the casual observer it appears just fine from a reasonable distance.

You could have one cut from vinyl stick on lettering.....

dave

There are companies that specialize in gauge repair and calibration. Find a local one and they might be able to assist you with your missing pointer.

JohnB
Bay 34, Bob Julian Roundhouse, Spencer, NC

I've cut them out of thin plastic sheet from a hobby shop. Paint them the appropriate color, punch a hole in the center, and glue them onto the stem. Once the guage face is on, you can't tell them from original metal ones.

Hi,

If your gauges will be actually used, you will need to install real metal pointers. These can be supplied by gauge repair companies, though they will be very plain. If your gauges require the old-style pointers with a circle on one end and a crescent on the other, you can get these off Ebay or at antique engine shows by buying a cheap gauge of the correct diameter or by connecting with a gauge collector who might have spares or know who makes repros. You might check out the book The Antique American Steam Gauge for more information, as there is a section in it about railroad gauges, as well as restoration suggestions. I've collected and restored hundreds of railroad gauges and really enjoy seeing proper gauges on both operating and display equipment.

Tim Gautreaux

Thanks for the ideas everyone. Apparently there are some local companies that might be able to help. Maybe I can get something donated from one of the companies.

Wouldn't this be a clock makers task?

You are correct in sourcing needle parts from a clock maker. The main steam gauge needle on our 10-wheeler went in for government certification at our machine shop and the center pulled away from the gauge. I looked up clock repair shops for parts and purchased a new painted steel needle of the same shape/size/spline and weight that I could swear came from the "McAvity" parts bin.
And only $10.oo
Look 1 up in your local Yellow Pages.

"T"