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From: MDelvec952 mdelvec952 AT aol DOT com
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:43:30 -0400
Subject: DL&W F3 Volunteer -- 663 is coming together
"Tri-State_F3_Scranton_8-11-2010_025.jpg" - image/jpeg, 2000x1500 (24bit)


Well, gang, we're getting sooooo very close. Today's work session was very productive and we have a lot to show for it. In extreme heat and humidity, the F-Troop worked above and beyond. This day began with me at the receiving end of six disbelieving eyes as I pulled off a bit of masking tape for the nose curve, the same curve that we worked so hard to make perfect yesterday. While dropping the nose view from yesterday's edition into the e-mail, I enlarged it and drew a line on it to double check what looked like the engineer's side maroon point dipping a little low. It was, by a little more than 1/16th of an inch. A little adjustment, and it's good. For all of the blueprints and pictures, some parts of this paint scheme may measure correctly, but the eye is the final judge. After some scuffing, a thorough degreasing and a final wipe with a tack-cloth, we were ready for the yellow. It mixed smooth as silk, it flowed like a dream and leveled beautifully. The nose and
stripes are stunning. Even the stripe through the screen is good. The F-Troop is very happy. Wait 'till you see the pictures. Many thanks to Tony Traglia for a wonderful paint job. In this heat, the required paint suit was especially hot -- I was supporting Tony and also wearing a suit and respirator, finding myself drenched in sweat and having to sit between coats.

After the paint tacked over, we began removing all of that masking. Paper and tape that went on in layers had to be likewise removed. It required several hot hours in the sun, but we watched our butterfly slowly emerge from its paper-and-tape cacoon. We were removing tape up 'till the final minutes at the Site, having to leave less critical stuff behind for next time.

We still have quite a way to go, though. Of the major painting, we still need to complete the black stripe along the side batten stripes and around the nose. And we did suffer some from the masking tape being on the unit so long in the heat. Of the various colors of masking we used -- blue, light tack; yellow, heavy tack; green, heaviest tackiness -- the tape that caused some trouble was the standard tan paper masking tape. While this wasn't used for any painted edges, it was holding paper and plastic sheets to the carbody, and removing this stuff in the hot sun left a lot of glue on the gray paint. Goo Gone removes it, but it'll take some time. Next time.

Speaking of next time, weather permitting we're looking at Monday or Tuesday to complete the black paint, and maybe some touch up painting. Meanwhile, Tony is painting both sides of the porthole rings and both sides of the jeweled number board at his shop in Duryea, so they'll be ready by Monday as well. There will be lots to do Monday, and many hands make light work. We have new volunteer name takes from the NPS, and our own Tri-State / DL&W 663 name tags, so be sure to get them before doing any work, and don't forget the basics -- steel toe boots, safety glasses, and no wandering in the shop away from our immediate work area.

....Mike Del Vecchio



Below, ain't she a beauty? This telephoto image illustrates how the meticulous masking paid dividends in straight stripes. Even the stripes through the screens are good. Could our Lackawanna 663 gleam more proudly? The Lackawanna switcher in the background adds to the 1950s freight feel of the photo.





Here's a roster shot with a Buffalo area feel thanks to the Nickel Plate Road's City of Lima that happened to be nearby today. We were taking paper and tape off 'till the wire, and you can see that some of the masking is still on it, and some off the light-colored remnants from the tape glue. But the yellow has been unmasked to avoid problems later. The nose door is ajar to allow the paint to cure in the jams. The incomplete black stripe is a noticeable omission, but otherwise 663 is lookin' pretty good. We can't wait to see the matching B-unit to complete the set. And while the 663 was a hit at the NRHS Convention and the gray paint job was a p.r. home run, I'm sure glad the gray ghost is now a part of history.







Removing the tape started slow when the paint was tacky, but once it shelled over we could make a hasty pace without rushing a job that can't be rushed. Here, Dave Lindstrum and I are pulling the blue tape, which functioned as intended. The blue tape left a great edge with very little paint bleed. The green tape bled more, and in the future we'll buff it more heavily. Yellow tape also left a good edge, though I fear it can pull young paint off of a surface. We did not have this problem. Sure was hot out today.





Tony Traglia working his magic on the nose. He did a beautiful job throughout the project.
--c4260749-b99d-4e48-96ef-a9e10b05469f

Tri-State_F3_Scranton_8-11-2010_025.jpg

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