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To: "oermsignal" Subject: Orange Empire Railway Museum Signals Update - 10/1/2004 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 over the past couple of weeks with the following Signal Crew: Paul Orton, Darrel, Mike, Ron, Allen, Gene, Ray, Bob, and Melanie. SIGNAL GARDEN: Mike and Ron completed the new mast for the Santa Fe Signal and the shorter mast for the V-20. Allen and Ron sand blasted, primed, and installed the brackets for the Santa Fe signal. We also found out that paint clogs the sand blaster. When a lot of rust and debris is on an item, we should consider needle gunning first then sand blasting. Installing the Santa Fe Signal head will wait until a team of three to four people us available to assist. We were also able to obtain red and yellow side lights for the P.E signal. The green will require more effort. The P.E. three color has provisions for nine lenses. Front, right and left. In the garden, we will use front and left. This allows the signal to be seen from the side if the motorman is stopped directly across from the signal which would be normal practice in street running. ALPINE ENTRANCE FLASHER INSTALL: Three weeks ago, the new base and the temporary flasher assembly were installed. Last weekend, the Hirths pulled in the signal wires to operate the new flasher. CLEAN-UP: The gang was able to borrow a fork lift and complete the heavy clean up by the Signal Shop. All of the pallets are gone. All that is left is some small items lying on the ground that can be moved by hand. Ron worked to get some of the conduit arranged for new circuits and some wire and other materials set aside for next time. MISCELLANEOUS: Paul Orton has undertaken the installation of the "electric stop sign" (red octagon sign with a an illuminated "STOP") at the Corner of Broadway and Alpine. Darrel fixed (cleaned and aligned) the lower head of the southbound Middleton signal. He found not only a very dirty lens, but it was improperly aligned. Now the dim lower head is brighter, perhaps even a bit brighter than the upper head now. Gene did his usual opening of locks and completed the monthly crossing inspections as well as some of the quarterly inspections. Unfortunately, the south track circuit at Mapes has failed - Gene will be back to find the trouble. Attached is a photo of the Signal display at the Illinois Railway Museum. IRM has an excellent display of signal apparatus. SEPTEMBER SIGNALS MEETING NOTICE: --- SATURDAY October 9th --- This is our regular 2nd Saturday workday this month. --- SATURDAY October 23th --- 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. |