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July 29, 2013

Change of September open house

Due to a schedule conflict, the date of the September Open House is now September 7th & 8th, 10am-4pm both days. The event runs rain or shine, and admission is by donation. For more information, please contact the Museum. 

 

 

On another note, it was a fairly productive weekend at the shop. More of the junk from the drop table pit was removed, and its starting to look a lot better. The beam scale, donated to the Museum by CN, was cleaned and readied for painting on the weekend. It was also reassembled and now sits on display inside the front room. Work continues on this coming long weekend. Stop by Saturday from 9-12 and check out the progress. 

 

July 20, 2013

A rainy weekend

Well, despite some heavy rain Friday night into Saturday morning, we still managed to get some  things done at the Museum. It was raining on and off Saturday morning, but cleared up enough for the 2 man track crew to get some work done on the track.  Marcel and Ken extended the operable length of track another 45? or so, and we are now at the location where the #8 frog will be located. The next track session will be the big push to get as much of the turnout in as possible. The turnout is being constructed in a rather unorthodox way, using only 8ft ties. It?s not perfect, but will allow us to connect the 2 tracks for the time being.

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The brackets from the beam scale that were damaged when it was moved to the shop have been repaired and will work just fine for display.  We have started cleaning the old flaking paint off of them and they will be repainted black for display. (left) The plan is to have the beam scale restored and ready for display by the September open weekend.  Rick spent the morning work on the Trackmobile, and I?m quite pleased to say that he was able to get it wired up from the key switch.  the motor and everything seems to be turning and working just fine. The propane tank and line still need to be hooked up, and we are waiting for the final bearing for the Transmission to arrive. Work it progressing very well.  it will be great to see this unit, which came to us damaged and in pieces, up and running at the Museum. Also inside the shop Ken Sr. worked on cleaning and organizing some of the material we use for track work, and such.

 

Still lots of projects on the go out at the shop.  Paint removal from E-7 is continuing, and will be a bit easier and faster with the larger angle grinder, which now has an 8? wire wheel.  Some other work was also planned out, mostly dealing with visitor and member safety. Those items will be brought in as we continue to improve and clean the shop.

 

All in all it was a very productive weekend, and i thank the 4 members that came out for it. Progress is ongoing, and I think by the time September rolls around, there will be a lot of significant changes at the shop. Come on out and join us. Not sure what day we?ll be there? email us to find out.

July 19, 2013

Saturday track work

It appears as though the weather is going to stay decent for this weekend so the planned track work session for Saturday July 20th is still on. For requirements to take part, please see the previous post. Plan is to still start at 0900 and be done by 2. 

July 15, 2013

Track work Saturday

In order to push forward with museum development, the NRM will be working this Saturday, July 20, 9-2, on track construction. No experience is required, and tools are provided by the Museum.  You do not need to be able to swing a spike maul.  Other tasks include packing ballast, lifting ties for spiking, gathering materials, etc. The day is however weather permitting.  A final announcement will be made on Friday night and will be posted on here, or you can email to find out.

 

Those taking part must come equipped with the following: Steel toe safety footwear, safety glasses, reflective/high visibility clothing or vest, and a hard hat.

 

If you would like to take part in the work party on Saturday, please email  the Museum.

July 6, 2013

Productive weekends at the NRM

Our second open house of the year was on the Canada Day long weekend.? Attendance was down a bit, but still fair. Gained at least 1 new member, so that?s makes a lot of the time spent there worth while. Some work was even done during the open house itself, with Rick starting to put the Trackmobile back together.

 

On Saturday July 6, a crew was out at the shop. Once again Rick worked on the Trackmobile, which went very well.? The clutch plate is in great shape, and the gear boxes are starting to go back together.? The one hydraulic cylindar is a bit pitted and was removed from the unit.? Luckily it is in otherwise great condition, and should be just fine for the amount of time we plan to use the machine.

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(left) ? Rick works on the clutch plate on the Whiting 2TMA Trackmobile in preparation for installation of the gear boxes. For the first time in many years, the Mercury Tractor (ex-Spadina Motive Power Tractor) got its tires pumped up.? The machine was moved around the shop for the first time as well.

 

Unit 456 was the former Motive Power tractor for the Spadina Shops in Toronto.? This heavy machine was used for moving the locomotives around the shop.? It somehow ended up in Fort Erie, but was heavily damaged during the years after the shop closed. Today the tires were inflated, and actually held air. The machine was moved around the shop a bit, and will be evaluated for future restoration.

On a sad note, another piece of railway history was lost this week when CN scrapped the car scale in the yard.? The scale house was also demolished.? However, the NRM was able to acquire the beam scale from inside the scale house.? Some damage occurred during movement, but the parts are already being readied for repair.? The unit will be repaired and repainted for display inside the shop. The Niagara Railway Museum Inc. wishes to thank CN Rail for their donation of this piece of Fort Erie?s Railway history, and to Attar Metals for removing and delivering the unit to our facility.

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The scale track and scale house in 2012, long out of service (left). After removal the scale was delivered to the main doors of the shop.? The unit will be repaired and repainted before going on display (right).