RG&E 1941 - Out for a bath...

On Tuesday evening, June 8, 2010, while other work was taking place around the museum, our Motive Power Department started RG&E #1941, one of our two GE 45-tonners and moved it out of the shop to get the start of a thorough bath.   The locomotive has been under mechanical restoration in the museum's shop for several years, and the mechanical work has been completed.   Now the museum is turning its attention to the cosmetic restoration, a portion of which is being sponsored by a grant from the Amherst Railway Society.    With the museum cut over to its well-fed water system, a new water spigot is finally available at the museum's restoration building, and Motive Power Superintendent, Joe Nugent, put it to good use by starting to wash #1941 down as the first steps to getting the engine painted this summer.

#1941 basks in the evening sun.  The locomotive cosmetic restoration was started, but halted when the museum learned one of the prime movers had to be rebuilt.  That work and more has been completed and now the final paint can be applied.   When done, the engine will pretty much look like it does here.

Motive Power Superintendent & RG&E #1941 Project Manager, Joe Nugent, begins the process of cleaning the engine so the paint work can take place.

Ballast!

What a difference a week makes.   On Tuesday evening, June 8th, we find the latest extension to the R&GVRRM's new siding west of the LA&L has been gauged, spiked and ballast piled on the recently built portion of the siding in preparation for leveling and tamping.    One week prior, the ties were just being spread out so really great progress was made in just one week.

Spiked, ballasted, and ready to be leveled and tamped.
 

Looking from the south(left) and then from the north(right) of the new track.
 

Dale Hartnett works to help find the proper level for the siding as the ballasting, leveling, and tamping starts.
 

Nice progress!

With all of this progress, the R&GVRRM still needs help to raise the funds needed to purchase more ballast to keep the progress moving forward as the entire siding built to date will now be ballasted, leveled, and tamped.    So far, we have had 30 tons of stone donated.   Would you please help us by donating the next ton or tons of ballast?   Just $20 buys a ton of stone!    More information on donating can be found here.
 

Track!

On Tuesday evening, June 1, the R&GVRRM Track Department set to work on building the track for phase three of the west siding project after the sub-ballast had been spread and rolled the previous Saturday.

The work is underway...

Spreading ties.

Spacing ties with custom built tie spacers that make the work much easier.

 Progress...

 From next to the museum's Restoration Shop that gives a real perspective as to how big the job is.

By the end of the evening, real progress had been achieved on the track with a solid crew of guys working.

Ties down, rail down and all bolted up ready to be gauged, spiked & ballasted!  Nice work!

As for the ballast, we could really use your help.   Please consider a donation to our Donate-A-Ton  fundraiser.   Details can be found on the Support page of our website.   We also welcome new hands to come and help us build and maintain our track and our railroad.   Information on volunteering is available here.