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From: MDelvec952 mdelvec952 AT aol DOT com
Date: Tue, 21 Jun 2011 23:13:51 -0400
Subject: DL&W F3 Volunteer -- F is for Father's Day
"Tri-State_F3_Scranton_6-19-2011_013_edit.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1740x1258 (24bit)



Steamtown was populated with proud pappas on Sunday, including members of our work party. We got a lot of good work accomplished and reached many of our goals. The most visible item were the application of the stainless steel kick plates located inside the steps of the cab ladders, both sides. These were difficult and time consuming to remove requiring drilling, penetrating oil and lots of heat. These were original items; Ken Capuder led a team of several in the removal back in March 2010. He took the plates home where he and his son Doug could polish them. They did a beautiful job, purchasing stainless screws with time-appropriate slotted heads to complement the plates. To reapply them, Dave Lindstrum and Tom Kelcec drilled and tapped new holes, applied RTV to the backs of the plates to prevent moisture from returning, and mounted them. Also mounted were new steel step treads for the ladders.

Rich Morgan and his son David worked in the cab replacing the ceiling panels removed to repair the plumbing for the air horns, and they replaced all of the missing screws in the cab. During this process we detected another window crank mechanism on the fireman's side that isn't quite right. Luckily, we removed four working sets of cab window machanisms from the Milwaukee Road F-unit about to be scrapped. Repairing these window cranks is a nice project for an afternoon that requires a little fabrication and patience to fix. Any takers would be welcome.

Rich and Dan Morgan also cleaned out and organized the tool box in the back of the unit where they discovered items that had been in there since the initial trip from Maine, including a rare spanner wrench designed for opening the cylinder test cocks on the Prime Mover. This handy item has been sent out to have copies made.

Mike Bast and I worked on more running gear items, such as the couplers and cut levers. Those on the 663 still weren't opening the knuckle fully. We obtained coupler innards from that Milwaukee unit and a nearby CF7 in the bone yard, and they did the trick. Our couplers now open as God and the FRA intended, both front and rear. We completed more work on the pilot, adjustments to other running gear items where necessary, and did some two-man electrical work and finished more plumbing. We all worked through lunch but went home satisfied.

Our next work sessions are difficult to schedule due to operations in the Park and various work schedules. We'll always need to send a list of attendees in advance, so we'll try to announce work parties with as much notice as possible, both weekday and weekends. If anyone has any preferences over the summer, please let me know. Upcoming projects including painting the cab, repairing the window mechanisms, and installing a rolled linoleum floor. Any members with experience in flooring and who is pretty good with a paint roller and brush, we can sure use the help. ARHS purchased the proper EMD terra cotta-colored linoleum that was in these units as built. The floor in the 664 looks great.

Meanwhile, as of Sunday there were no firm plans yet to operate the F3s at Steamtown, though there are several possibilities. And we always have to be ready to go on short notice in case the regular Steamtown power suffers a breakdown. The Erie-Lackawanna Historical Society Convention plans for Steamtown trips over 9/30-10/1 weekend are still evolving. The F3s will at least be displayed for that crowd, and we're working on scenarios to add context, such as nearby cabooses or freight cars, dressed actors posing for pictures, maybe a night shot. Stay tuned there.

Meanwhile, we wish the National Railway Historical Society success with its Convention in Tacoma, Washington, this week. Tri-State and the other groups who contributed to the F3 project are being represented and will be talking about the F3 project. All of us in F-Troop are proud of the national attention and good press this project has earned.

Meanwhile, we'll share some photos from Sunday and some recent arrivals shot during the ARHS Convention trips.

....Mike Del Vecchio





Above: After a long work day, the two F3s are basking in the gorgeous afternoon light. This is the position the F3s will be in for a while until Steamtown has other needs for this track. Working here isn't bad as there is nearby water and electricity, and a steady flow of interested visitors who like what they are seeing.





Above: After drilling and tapping the screw holes in the carbody, the stainless steel kick plates were attached with a backing of RTV silicone to keep water from gathering behind them. Stainless screws with slotted heads hold them in place. Here, Tom Kelcec is applying the lower plate on the engineer's side. On the fireman's side new step treads were made to replace deteriorated ones.





Above: A scene from the ARHS Convention special on June 5, 2011, by Tom Kelcec. Here the 663 passes Mattes Street Tower heading westbound on the old freight main. Passenger trains in the steam era would use the line up on the retaining wall to the left in this frame to access the passenger station.
--6607775b-c9b3-4637-a5af-da56951de29a

Tri-State_F3_Scranton_6-19-2011_013_edit.jpg

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