We have just completed making new Walschaert valve gear parts for the Pacific Locomotive Association. The parts will be used in the restoration of Robert Dollar Lumber Company No. 3 (see more info at http://www.ncry.org/roster/s_03rd/rd3.shtml ) to be used on the Niles Canyon Railway.

The parts replicated included one radius rod, two Walschaert links, two link blocks, and two lifting links. PLA sent us the other radius rod from this engine to use as a pattern for the new one, a plywood profile of one of the Walschaert links used on Quincy Railroad Company No. 2 which is of identical design to what was required, two sets of existing trunnion plates for the new Walschaert links, and an erection drawing of the locomotive.

From this point, we made up blueprints of exactly what was required, worked up a preliminary price, and upon PLAÂ’s approval, started work.

The Walschaert links and link blocks were flame cut to shape, stress relieved, rough machined at a CNC shop, then case hardened and finished in our shop. We have a fixture on hand to grind the radius into links and blocks of any size. Setting up the trunnion plates so the trunnion pins were exactly in line with each other and the center of the slot was a challenge that our machinist John handled with his usual skill and patience.

A local company rough cut the radius rod for us from a 5” square bar using a CNC water jet cutting machine (This is a fascinating machine, and process). The Strasburg Rail Road then finished the exterior surfaces and bored and reamed the holes to complete this part.

The lifting links, which are very straight forward compared to the other parts involved, were machined from flame cut blanks.

In other news, The Colorado Railroad MuseumÂ’s #346 is nearing completion of its boiler work, with installation of the flues, and a hydro test due shortly.

We are starting construction of a new Peerless traction engine boiler for an individual in Maryland.

We are completing a third car, built from scratch, for our 15” gage Cagney steam train.


SRC Mechanical Dept.

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

SRC Mechanical Dept.

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

SRC Mechanical Dept.

kelly@strasburgrailroad.com

Interesting seeing a Bridgeport (J head?) mounted on another machine. Reminds me of a job we did years ago at a shop I used to work at. They needed to cut a double (criss cross) spiral in a lead screw. The shops smallest lathe got mounted on one of the Bridgeport, and the lathe was turned by a timing belt from the X axis crank. Darn clever, these machinists-

edm5970@earthlink.net

> Interesting seeing a Bridgeport (J head?)
> mounted on another machine. Reminds me of a
> job we did years ago at a shop I used to
> work at. They needed to cut a double (criss
> cross) spiral in a lead screw. The shops
> smallest lathe got mounted on one of the
> Bridgeport, and the lathe was turned by a
> timing belt from the X axis crank. Darn
> clever, these machinists-

There is an picture in my old Industrial Press machine tool catalog (c.1917) of a machine just like that one they use for grinding links - a planner bed with a milling head on it. A friend of mine has a smaller version of SRR's one in his workshop behind his house. Their jig is a really nice piece of work!!

The PLA hasn't updated their site in awhile, does anybody know what's going on over at Brightside these days? Any projected time when the #3 will go back into service? The Pickering 12, Clover Valley 4 (gorgeous engines), and Pickering 5 are still stored in Fremont at Shinn Street I believe, outside. The 1269 and Sierra 30 (which I thought was going to be the next engine back in service) I remember seeing there along with CP 233 which I understand has been moved to Sacramento. The WP 0-6-0 from Pleasanton which I remember from the fairgrounds, was stored there for a time as well.

I was also told that the old Castro Point Railway trackage may still be in place; I have never been over there so I do not know. It looked beautiful in pictures with the bay in the background.

PLA is about to get the long desired connction to the Union Pacific at Hearst, above Sunol. With the connection they will be moving the equipment stored at Oakland to the Canyon.

Robert Dollar 3 got moved ahead of the Sierra engine in the que. Its a near twin to the Quincy, and much work had been done on it at Rio Vista, so it should be a good well restored reliable engine.

PLA continues to make steady progress.

Randy Hees

Carter Brothers Builders
hees@ix.netcom.com

This is good news...what is stored at Oakland these days? Last time I drove up to their site the 2467 was sitting there, along with Manley's SP Consolidation and the GP9 (plus some cars). I was under the impression 2467 was moved because they had to give up the Oakland property. Would they move the 2467 to Niles as well to get the boiler work/etc done. What they really need at Niles is some more indoor storage besides the double-stall shop they have now. I always liked their operation at Niles (though I never saw Castro Point) and they did a great job of saving some great rare relics.

The 2467 and the Consolidation are both at Hunters Point currently. The Consolidation is making good progress. As far as I can tell there isn't much work being done on 2467. Of course at this time there just arn't many places to run her.

There is a WP F, and an SP SD 9 along with frieght and passenger equipment. The GP is privatly owned, (by a PLA member) and sees occasional service on the Oakland Terminal

There are plans for a carhouse at Brightside, and based on how these guys get things done it is likly to happen sooner rather than later.

Randy



Carter Brothers Builders
hees@ix.netcom.com

I wasn't aware that those parts did not go with the engine when it left Rio Vista. I remember restoring many of the valve gear parts in my Diablo Valley College machine tech class for course credit. When it is done the #3 will be more new locomotive than a restoration. I worked on that engine for close to 10 years of weekends at Rio Vista, hopefully something good will come of our (the former WRM Steam Crew's) efforts one day. I still have an Oregon license plate we found behind the fuel bunker and some lettering details I took off the side of the cab when it was sandblasted if anyone at PLA is interested in the original BLW alum. leaf lettering. I suppose it will be lettered "Castro Point Railway" or somesuch.

wsflco@yahoo.com

I suppose it will be lettered
> "Castro Point Railway" or
> somesuch.

Actually, at Castro Point yes they did reletter some of the engines for the Castro Point Railway (Quincy #2). However...all the engines at the Niles Canyon Railway are labeled for their original railroads (Quincy #2, the diesels, etc). The coaches are lettered propertly too, except the "KC Bones" or whatever car which they built. Steptoe Valley #3, despite the drastic change in its appearance (tender, cut back saddle tanks, and diamond stack) was even lettered for the Steptoe Valley Mining & Smelting Co. A neat old engine and the first to run in the Canyon in 1989 under the PLA's ownership. It's in parts now.

Last I heard a small Robert Dollar Shay was still stored at Rio Vista. Poor Western Pacific #94 is stored indoors away from public view I heard, a beautiful engine that I hope to someday see operating again.

> Last I heard a small Robert Dollar Shay was
> still stored at Rio Vista. Poor Western
> Pacific #94 is stored indoors away from
> public view I heard, a beautiful engine that
> I hope to someday see operating again.

The Shay is still at Rio Vista.

Last week, we started building a new 100 x 350 foot 6-track car house. The plan is for WP 94 to be displayed "pulling" a train of appropriate cars, similarly for WP 334 on another track. Given our present staffing level, the building will be open for a daily guided tour when the museum is open.

Realistically, given the cost of re-activating a steam engine, the light rail on the old Sacramento Northern main line, and the amount of maintenance needed to restore the track north from the museum, the 94 isn't going to be running at RVJ for many years.

forags@nature.berkeley.edu

> The Shay is still at Rio Vista.

> Last week, we started building a new 100 x
> 350 foot 6-track car house. The plan is for
> WP 94 to be displayed "pulling" a
> train of appropriate cars, similarly for WP
> 334 on another track. Given our present
> staffing level, the building will be open
> for a daily guided tour when the museum is
> open.

> Realistically, given the cost of
> re-activating a steam engine, the light rail
> on the old Sacramento Northern main line,
> and the amount of maintenance needed to
> restore the track north from the museum, the
> 94 isn't going to be running at RVJ for many
> years.

Al:

Sorry to see this falsehood continuing to be perpetuated. Money never was and never will be the issue. Ego is.

There was never a lack of interest on the part of the volunteers. Same goes for the Prarie Train operations.

The talent was there to do the job, but simply is not any more. As to why, you'll have to ask the management for their "official" answer.

The "B" team lives!

teamzurg@earthlink.net

From the summer of 1981 and the camera of the late Vernon J. Sappers (collection fo Riger Colton):

Western Pacific 94 and crew at was then the end of the tail track, adjacent to the former Sacramento Northern mainline, railroad west of Rio Vista Junction between MP 57 and 58.

From left to right:

Lower Row: Master Mechanic Ross Cummings (in the tie), Chris Allan, Jim Anthony, Rod McClure, Roger Colton. On the pilot: Paul Hollidge, Paul Zaborsky and Mike Altmann.

Carpe Diem!



teamzurg@earthlink.net