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January 1, 2012

Happy New Year

Progress on E-7

2011 is now in the past, as 2012 is upon us.? I would like to take the time to thank everyone who came out and supported the Niagara Railway Museum Inc. in 2011, and of course our dedicated members who do their best to keep the Museum going, despite not being open to the public.? 2012 is going to be a big year for the NRM.? More details on this years plans will be forthcoming over the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned to find out more.? Some work has been progressing this weekend, mostly on the cosmetic restoration of HEPC E-7.

HEPC 0-4-0st #46 is covered for the winter as she sits right beside the missing windows.

The Plymouth is also covered, for the same reason, but also because the cab windows were broken and removed in 2010.? Aside from the restoration of HEPC E-7, the other main project for the year is the restoration to operation of our Plymouth diesel.? The motor starts and runs great, but we are in need of replacing some of the missing parts.? The electrical wiring is all needing to be updated as well, and some of the smaller airlines going through the cab floor have rotted away.? These are fairly simple to fix, but some other issues will have to wait until warmer weather.? The compressor is being rebuilt, and will be reinstalled and hooked up as soon as it is ready.

As always, if you would like to donate to any of our projects, it would be greatly appreciated. The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. is a registered Charitable organization, and can issue a Charitable Tax Receipt for any financial contributions.

August 20, 2011

E-7 cosmetic restoration

While the weather is still great, I felt it was time to start making some progress on equipment restoration.? The Plymouth is a fairly easy project, but is currently undergoing restoration to operating condition.? HEPC 46, our steam locomotive, needs some extensive cab work before the cosmetic can begin on that.? So, the only piece remaining is HEPC E-7, our electric locomotive.? It’s a very slow process, using an angle grinder with a wire wheel to remove in some spots 7 layers of paint! The good thing about this is that there is no actual rust, only surface rust, which cleans up fairly well with the wire wheel.

Stripping the paint, the slow way!

The body is being taken down to the bare metal, and will be primed and painted a coat of black, which is what it wore when in service in Niagara Falls back in the 1920’s.

Down to the bare metal, waiting for primer.

Track work is also progressing at the site, with more ties laid for track 2.? Rail has been placed, but is not yet gauged and spiked.? Just waiting for the rest of the roadbed to be cleared, and we’ll be into the turnout.? Site cleanup is also moving along.? The old storage trailers along the south side of the building have been moved.? The grass has been cut around the turntable, and soon a section will be cleared out so we can see what condition the pit was left in when it was filled in.

Lots going on at the Niagara Railway Museum Inc.? If you have some spare time, and want to come out and help, we have lots of tasks that can be taken care of.? No skills necessary.? Just drop us an email to set up a time.? Weekends are the normal work days, but some members do head out there during the week.

July 16, 2010

HEPC #E-7

With the recent arrival of our 3rd ex-Hydro locomotive, the NRM now has a very unique display. Both our steam engine, #46, and our electric, E-7 worked together during the construction of the Queenston-Chippawa Project.? Our Plymouth diesel was used during construction of Adam Beck G.S. #2, which creates a display of 3 locomotives from 2 of the most famous power projects in Canada.? I would like to take this opportunity to thank the various groups involved with this move/acquisition.

Villeneuve’s Steel Wheels – Floated the locomotive to our shop

NRE-Alco Locomotive Canada – loaded both the locomotive, trucks and other parts

Beam Excavating – provided the backhoe/operator to help move E-7 into the shop

PRW – supplied a 60ton Grove crane to unload E-7

The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum & Heritage Centre for not scrapping this surplus unit, and allowing us the time to acquire it from them

The dedicated members of the Niagara Railway Museum who worked to almost midnight to get E-7 on track and into the shop