|
To: "oermsignal" Subject: Orange Empire Railway Museum Signals Update - 8/30/2004 This email is our semi-regular update about signals work (installation, maintenance and restoration) at the Orange Empire Railway Museum and is a collaborative effort -- the information for this e-news issue was provided by Gary See. If you have information that would be of interest to others, please email it to me and we'll include it in our next newsletter. If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please email me. Likewise, if you know someone who would like to be added to this list, please have them email me. If you receive duplicate copies of this email, please contact me and let me know your preferred email address. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following activities took place this past weekend - Saturday and Sunday - August 28 & 29. SIGNAL GARDEN: Ray, Bob, Allen and Gary scoped out what is needed to replace the damaged conduit in the dwarf area of the garden. It was decided that the best plan is to tag all wires, pull them all out, repair the conduit and then return any good wires to the conduit. Any damaged wires will be replaced with new. Also we will add in additional wires up to the conduit fill capacity to insure we have enough wires for all the new signals we've been adding recently. The plan is to tag and pull the wires on Sept 11 and then allow the Hirths time to repair the conduit during the following 2 weeks. The wires will be reconnected on the work day of Sept 25. Ron sandblasted the base for the new PE signal and then worked with Darrel to weld a mast from several smaller pieces. Next we need to weld a 5" bushing on the 4" mast to adapt it the new signal. It will then be ready to install on the concrete base poured last month. Gary took the damaged (due to a blown out FET ) Cox Bell controller to add a relay output stage and hopefully get it functioning once again. His plan is to return it on Sept 25. And once again, Joyce was busily pruning, trimming and improving the plants and trees in the Signal Garden. ALPINE ENTRANCE NEW FLASHER INSTALL: Since the installation of the new pedestrian entrance, the Alpine Crossing Wig-Wags do not adequately protect the new pedestrian walkway. The plan was to build a temporary flasher assembly (and work was started on the flasher and mast) but we decided to instead work on the permanent solution now and finish it right. This past weekend, Mike, Paul Orton, Ron, Gary, Allen and Gene began building the foundation on the north side of the walk. Using a jack hammer, the hole was dug and framed. Rebar was welded to the j-bolts and attached to the framing. Sunday, the conduit was added and routed to the existing 2 inch conduit under the new walk, and then 14 bags of ready-mix concrete were added to the hole creating what we hope is a good strong foundation. Next the new base will be bolted on and the temporary flasher lights will be installed. Once Paul Orton has completed the new basked wig-wag, it will replace the flasher. MISCELLANEOUS: Gene worked on the monthly crossing inspections for Alpine and Central. Three pallets of old Nicad batteries were moved from the Signal Shop area to the back storage area to allow for better weed abatement in the Car Barn 4/Signal Shop area. More of the batteries will be moved out back on Sept 11. AUGUST SIGNALS MEETING NOTICE: --- SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 11th --- This is our regular 2nd Saturday workday this month. --- SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 25th --- This is our regular 4th Saturday workday this month. Also Gene is usually at the museum most Fridays if that better fits your schedule. Call or email him for confirmation of the date and time. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For additional OERM Signals information, visit the signals website at: http://gsee.sdf-us.org/signals. Previous editions of these email newsletters are at: http://gsee.sdf-us.org/signals/enews/enews.html . Questions or comments regarding OERM Signals should be directed to the Signals Superintendent Gene Cranston. |