Just one word, GORGEOUS !!

Keep up the good work.

Richard

Linn, Kelly and everyone at the Strasburg Railroad my hat is off to you guys. Yet another fabulous restoration and I can't say enough how much missed 31 during her absence. BTW just to settle some personal conflict of mine, what whistle is 31 wearing a Crosby or a Buckeye?


Regards
Brian

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Kelly-

We have a similar tank car (built 1919 by AC&F) and need a complete new set of running boards. What type lumber did you guys use on the restoration of TWOX 1367? Thanks.

Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

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Like the others have said and I guess it can't be said enough, Great looking car and hats off, keep up the great work! Can't wait for my next visit to see all that's been done.

Anybody out there looking too or currently restoring one of these riveted tank cars and maybe needing "parts" up to even a "new" tank, these can be found in the Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal Co's Second site in Roanoke VA. The ancient riveted tank car bodies are stacked up like cord wood at this site beside the 100ton or so Steam crane mentioned before on other posts. Who knows what someone may need to finish that tank car project. Good luck.

Awesome restoration! The photos will help others restore similar cars.

Later!
Mr. Ed

OK, this one got past me, and I could not find it in a search of the Interchange. What steam crane; what is the history behind it? Andrew, do you have any pictures of it?

-James Hefner
Hebrews 10:20a

Surviving World Steam Project

There used to be a grade of White Oak available known as "Vehicle Grade" that was used for truck decking. This material was S2S (Surfaced Two Sides) to 1 7/8" thickness, as I recall, and was the same as Select & Better except it allowed worm holes, which normally drops oak into the Common grades, which allow other defects. It was very cost effective for structural work, and the worm holes (which are tiny) are easy enough to fill with caulk.

If the grade is still available, it is worth looking into.

By the way, White Oak has considerably more natural rot resistance than Red Oak.

Dennis:

Thanks very much for the hint. I'll look into it.

Les

We have also used the vehicle grade white oak for tank car running boards. The stuff we got was not totally dried and more or less 'green' rough sawed. Even stacking and stickering for a year resulted in some waviness and corkscrewing of the stock, but it could be pulled down flat 'sort of', during installation.

Bob Kutella

Bob:

Do you remember where you got it? I have been on the Internet searching and am confused as to just what is out there. You can contact me off-line.

Thanks.

Les

Les,

I used to deal with Frank Paxton Lumber Co. in Chicago years ago, which was a comercial yard and wholsaler at the time. I see they now have a web site and a "wood workers store". Check out the web site at:

http://www.paxtonwood.com/index2.html

Also see my message on specifying and purchasing hardwood that I posted as a new topic.

Dennis-

Thanks. Will give them a try.

Les