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SP2479 Status - Sept 29, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
Today's crew was small but a bunch of work was completed.
Prior to departing on vacation our master mechanic machined two grease fitting adaptors for
the frame which allow lubrication to the reverse link pins. There were issues getting grease
to flow around the left side frame's inside reverse link bushing but they were overcome.
Today the reverse link and radius rod were installed. None of the issues that were experienced
on the right side were encounter.
Cleaning and painting of running boards continues and is near completion. The upper surface
on the right side including the engineer's platform are now complete. The fireman's platform has
been cleaned and primed. The "well" area between the engineer and fireman have been wire
brushed also wire brushed was the apron between the locomotive and tender.
The piece of bronze needed for a new bushing for the engineer's side of the reverse rod
has been received. |
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SP2479/SP1215 - Sept 1, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
SP2479
The past couple of work sessions the crew struggled with assembling the right side reverse link,
radius rod, and combination lever.
The combination lever pin would not seat in the valve cross head. After three plus hours of filing
and polishing with emery paper, the pin was seated and secured with tapered pins.
Assembly of reverse link, reverse link block, cheeks and radius rod were next. Bolts that
hold secure the cheeks and capture the reverse link are fitted. Each hole and bolt was
marked by SP. The first bolt did not fit its assigned hole. As the afternoon wore on, the task
was terminated. Measurements of the bolts and holes were taken before returning components
to storage. It was noted at this time that bolts did not match assigned holes. Bolts were
then matched to holes.
Yesterday the reverse link assembly was bolted into place. Assembly went off with no issues.
Securing the radius rod to the cross head did present some problems. The pin which retains
the radius rod to the cross head would not fully seat. A small amount of filing on the pin
resolved the issue. (See photo.)
Tramming of the cross head for the left steam valve is now under way. Yesterday a wire was
centered in the bore of the cylinder and measurements taken.
Cleaning and painting of running boards continues. Running boards on the left side are complete.
Right side is in work.
SP1215
Locomotive at History Park has begun to show affects of weather. Some polishing of rods
and a coat of clear lacquer has been applied. Windows are in the process of being repainted. |
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29th Annual Volunteer Recognition BBQ - Thursday, August 16, 2012 |
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29th Annual Volunteer Recognition BBQ
Thursday, August 16, 2012
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
San Jose History Park
1650 Senter Road, San Jose, CA
Beverages provided by Bottomley Distributing Company
BBQ provided by the Santa Clara County Firefighters
Music by the Singing Conductors
This is a FREE event in appreciation of CTRC’s dedicated volunteers and guests
(Please RSVP so we know how much food to have available!)
Event Title Sponsor: Wells Fargo Bank
Sponsors: Dan Caputo Company, Cupertino Electric,
Hatch Mott MacDonald, Hensel Phelps Construction,
HNTB, KLIV/KARA Radio, and Anonymous Donor
Please RSVP by 8/9/12 to Lynda Ramirez Jones via email at:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 408-924-7560 |
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SP 2479 Saturday July 28, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
Paint has been applied to all remaining areas of boiler.
Boiler courses 1, 2, 3, and firebox from running board up over roof sheet to opposite running board now have a fresh coat of black.
Weld build up the second combination lever pin hole in cross head for left steam distribution valve.
Inspect reverse shaft bearings. Found fireman’s side bearing okay.
Engineer’s side bearing exhibited severe wear thus must be replaced.
Complete improvements to power cables to Bridgeport mill and Hardinge lathe. |
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John Ezovski
June 30
Traming of the cross head for the right steam distribution valve is nearly complete.
Adjusting the cross heads position with shims has consumed two worker's time over
the past two weeks. It now appears that the cross head is in a good position to
accept the valve's rod.
Two tasks remain before the valve can be inserted into the cylinder. The two bolts
that attach the right upper and lower guides must be replaced. These will be machined
in the coming week. A grease fitting and path need to be added to the outside lower guide.
Once this work is complete, the task will be repeated on the left side.
Upper surfaces of the locomotive's boiler have begun to show affects of weather.
Flexible staybolt caps and sleeves show the most weathering. To prevent damage,
most of the boiler will be wire wheeled, primed and painted. This task is well under
way. Above the running boards on the fireman's side, barrels 1 and 2 have been
thoroughly wire wheeled and primed. The backhead and the firebox wrapper sheet
above the running boards on the engineer's side has seen the same service.
July 14
Wire brushing and application of primer to boiler continues. Except for two small areas
primer has now been applied to the boiler and firebox from the running boards on one
side, up over the top of the boiler to the running boards on the opposite side.
Traming of the cross head for the left steam distribution valve is on going. Both holes
in the cross head that holds the pin which connects the upper end of the combination lever
are over size and out of round. The upper and lower "bridges" were thin. Decision was made
to weld up both holes. Today the first hole was built up. During the coming week the
welded area will be bored.
A wire was position in the middle of the left steam distribution cylinder. Several measurements
were taken. Until the cross head is finished this process can not continue. |
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Aux Dome Cover - June 9, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
Machining of new aux dome cover is complete.
Today the cover was hoisted into place to check for fit.
After a few "adjustments" cover slipped into its new home.
Next week the aux dome cover gasket will be annealed and cover set into position.
Shown is an image with safeties, valve and whistle in place. |
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SP2479 Update - Saturday, May 26, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
Nice size crew today.
With the restoration site being in a highly visible area, appearance is
important. Today a group of workers trimmed trees of low branches passing
threw the fence. Removal of these branches also helps with site security.
Although the lawn tractor does not see heavy use, performing preventative
maintenance on the machine is a necessity. A number of items were
addressed needed to help extend its life.
The locomotive's boiler is beginning to show weathering. Wire wheeling
and painting of the boiler has begun and will continue for many more
weeks.
The real good news is the fourth and final hole in the center area of the
new aux dome cover has been threaded! The new cover was removed from
the Le Blonde lathe and returned to the restoration site for remaining
work.
All twenty studs needed to mount the new cover have been machined.
Five of the studs were set into place. |
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Status Update - May 6, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
The majority of today's steam crew spent the day working at the
trolley barn. Two members worked at returning the barn's Clark
forklift to a serviceable state . This machine has not run for several
years. The battery required extended charging and a multitude of
ignition issues were repaired. By days end, the forklift was
running.
Progress has been made with the new aux dome cover. Holes
for the two safeties, valve and whistle were bored to an optimum
diameter during the week. Today the gasket seating surface was
machined flat on the Le Blond lathe.
Next came the big test. Could the lathe turn the heavy plate offset
five inches from center without counter weights being attached? The
first of two safety holes was centered and the machine powered on.
There was no noticeable difference in rotational rate of the chuck
Tapering and threading of the hole began. By secure time, the first
of four holes was complete. A significant step forward.
At the locomotive restoration site, several other tasks were underway.
Components to provide tender water level to the cab crew were
being manufactured. Nice weather requires weekly grass and weed
control. |
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SP2479 Aux Dome Update - April 28, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
Threading of second hole in test plate was successfully completed.
A machining plan has been created for the aux dome blank. Four
holes to be threaded in blank were located. Boring of these holes
will begin this week. |
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John Ezovski
April 7:
Progress has slowed. Upon receipt of the aux dome cover blank, it was decided to
practice machining with a piece of scrap plate. A suitable plate was prepared and a
number of small holes bored.
Biggest concern is threading holes for the three inch safeties. Finished holes
will be approximately four inches in diameter with an 8 pitch thread. CRTC's only
machine capable of this work is the Leblond lathe located in the trolley barn.
This machine has not been used in a number of years. It required cleanup and
lubrication. During this process several deficiencies were noted. A piece of the taper
attachment was missing and was constructed. The biggest concern is wear in
machine parts. It was noted that there was a near half turn revolution of the crossfeed
handle. The lead screw was removed and inspect. Both the lead screw and nut are
heavily worn. The compound feed is also very loose.
Obviously destroying a four hundred dollar part is not on the task list. Currnet condition of
the lathe is a major concern but we are not ready to give up. Next Saturday the test plate
will be mounted. An attempt at boring and threading of the first large hole will begin. Upon
completion a look at direction will be taken.
April 21:
Weeks of cleaning, fixing and understanding the trolley barn's Leblond lathe
has paid off! Yesterday, 2479's master mechanic tapered and threaded a four
inch hole in the test plate! A cap was set into the hole to prove the work.
With the first hole complete, the test plate was repositioned. This hole will
also be tapered and threaded for added experience.
In image, note plate off-set from chuck center. The lowest rotational speed of
the chuck was being used. This plate weighs less than half that of the new
cover. The task is looking much more do able on this lathe but there is still
a question as to the lathe being able to turn the heavy part off center.
Saturday work crews continue to be very small. The remainder of the crew
has been working at site appearance. Rain followed by sunny, warm
temperatures have kicked grass and weed growth into high gear. Keeping
the storage areas clear of tall weeds is difficult and time consuming. |
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SP2479 - Sat. March 3, 2012 |
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John Ezovski
The blank for the new aux dome cover was received during this past week. The diameter
of the piece is slightly less than 20 1/2". And it is 2 inches thick. In the attached image,
a nut that is 7/8" tall was placed on top of the plate to give a sense of size.
Dealing with the blank for the new aux dome cover was the focus of this past
Saturday's session. Boring of holes in this cover for the safeties and other objects
will present a significant challenge.
The safeties, whistle and vent valve were mounted on the old cover to verify clearances.
Holes for each of these objects may be relocated slightly.
Prior to cutting into a $400.00 piece of steel, we will experiment on a piece of scrap
plate. A one inch piece of material was located, cut and cleaned.
The trolley barn's big LeBlond lathe is the only CTRC machine capable of performing
this work. The lathe was examined for tooling. It appears that there is a piece missing
for the taper attachment but should be easy to fabricate. Only if we are successful with
the piece of scrap plate will work will begin on the blank, otherwise services of a machine
shop will be necessary for the large holes. |
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