The Latest from the Strasburg Rail Road Shops

Jim Robinson · **Posted:** Fri Sep 06, 2013 12:10 pm

Definitely a big thank you to Kelly for taking the time and effort to make these updates from the shop. It's one of the reasons that makes the RyPN Interchange stand out among the other forums with the usual "which whistle should be on old 97" type of posts.

I'm sure like everyone else here, I really enjoy the behind the scenes look at all of the restoration and repair work. In pre-Internet days, some of my favorite (and most watched) videos were / are the "restoration videos" done on locomotives such as 261 and 3751.

If you're in the area and haven't done so already, I highly recommend taking the Noon shop tour at Strasburg. Even better than Kelly's posts is to see their facility and their handiwork up close and personal.

As for Andrea Biesecker (aka "Sparkee"), she definitely brings a lot of talent to the shop floor. She "learned steam" at the near-by Rough & Tumble Engineers Museum's annual steam school and has come a long way in a short time. She and her husband Butch each own "his and hers" steam traction engines (his an awesome 22-65hp Keck-Gonnerman and hers a neat little 13hp Russell) and travel to many of the "steam shows" in the northeast every year. Butch and Andrea are both very talented steam engine mechanics and often can be seen helping other traction engine owners fix a problem. As for her SRC career, knowing her, I wouldn't surprised that someday off in the future she is the CMO!

BTW, Kelly or someone should post a photo of the wild steampunk water (drinking) fountain Andrea made for the station platform area out of an injector body and other various bits and pieces. Definitely cool!

Regards,
Jim Robinson

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

whodom · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 12:27 pm

Kelly Anderson wrote:

Jim Robinson wrote:

BTW, Kelly or someone should post a photo of the wild steampunk water (drinking) fountain Andrea made for the station platform area out of an injector body and other various bits and pieces. Definitely cool!

THAT is awesome! You guys should take any defective injector castings you wind up with from your normal production and use them to build these. They'd sell like hotcakes! ;-)

southern154 · **Joined:** Mon Jun 24, 2013 12:54 pm **Posts:** 320

When I was in strasburg we took the noon shop tour, and I have to agree, it was FANTASTIC! Also could anyone shed some light on the Disney engine currently (I think) up there. Thanks

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Mon Sep 09, 2013 3:45 pm

southern154 wrote:

Also could anyone shed some light on the Disney engine currently (I think) up there. Thanks

It's been my experience that Disney imposes Draconian non-disclosure agreements upon its contractors with regards to such things as theme-park equipment, etc. So, if nobody from Strasburg says anything about this "alleged Disney engine," don't be surprised or think they hate you.

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

Kelly Anderson wrote:

Here, Andrea is lifting a brand new 3’ gauge axle out of the lathe.

Is that axle for RGS #20, or something else?

urmomsman · **Joined:** Sun Mar 17, 2013 8:22 pm **Posts:** 3

I noticed a green steel (?) bodied coach sitting on the east side of your shop last time I was there. Is that being refurbished as a new addition to your fleet or is it a contract item? Also, are the YARR marked gondolas being scrapped, or are their other plans for those cars? Again, thanks for the work you do. It is always fun to read this thread.

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

GN2882 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2013 5:28 pm

Kelly Anderson wrote:

Chris Webster wrote:

Is that axle for RGS #20, or something else?

Yes.

urmomsman wrote:

I noticed a green steel (?) bodied coach sitting on the east side of your shop last time I was there. Also, are the YARR marked gondolas being scrapped, or are their other plans for those cars?

The green diner had been in the RRMPA collection for years. It has been acquired by the Reading Co. Technical and Historical Society for their collection, and is being prepared to move. Track is being leased to store the gondolas while they are having some repair work done by their owner’s personnel.

Hilarious Kelly on that first answer/non answer....

Chris Webster · **Joined:** Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:45 am **Posts:** 1087

Kelly Anderson wrote:

Chris Webster wrote:

Is that axle for RGS #20, or something else?

Yes.

Thanks Kelly; it is not everyday we see a brand-new axle for a narrow gauge Baldwin with 6 driving wheels!

Kelly Anderson · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2004 7:52 am **Posts:** 2477

Robert Yuill · **Posted:** Thu Sep 12, 2013 9:25 am

We too currently have contract with a private collector who does not want his project publicized.
While some people may know about this work, we are not free to post on Facebook or our website without his permission.

As long as they continue to send payments, I'm OK with such an arrangement!

Someone sure did a great job of cleaning 90's intermediate rod Kelly!

Robert Yuill
Historic Machinery Services Corp.