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To: "oermsignal" Subject: Orange Empire Railway Museum Signals Update - 10/18/2004 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. SIGNAL GARDEN: In the Signal Garden the following changes and installations were made: 1.) The V-20 triangular 3-color signal head was lowered by swapping out the old mast with a new "short" mast. The V-20 signal lights used to be at about 7 feet high (typical for a real prototype) but the average person (and especially kids) did not really notice the light changes. Now the V-20 head is about 4 feet high and easy for people to notice the lights cycling as soon as they push the button. A photo of the "new" signal is attached. 2.) The conduit from the controller case to the new PE 3-color, USS Style-R 3-color (Santa Fe) and Motor Car Indicators was cleaned out (using first a drill and then water from a hose) in preparation for wiring up these new signals. 3.) The PE 3-color side lenses were installed on the left side and the proper blanks installed on the right side. It's now ready to be wired. 4.) The new USS Style-R (Santa Fe) 3-Color Signal was installed on it's mast. After much huffing and puffing to install the new U-Bolts, the signal was hoisted into position. It still needs to be sand-blasted and painted but it's now up and on display. Soon we will wire it up - initially as just a steady single color and later controlled by the computer. A photo of the Style-R signal is attached. 5.) Installation of an old set of crossbucks on the crossing gate was attempted but rusty bolts prevented moving the brackets to the necessary position. Kroil Penetrating Oil was liberally applied - hopefully the bolts will surrender next weekend when we try again. 6.) Joyce was busy watering, weeding and planting -- the "green" part of the garden is looking better and better. ALPINE CROSSING FLASHER INSTALLATION: The new Alpine Crossing Flasher is now operational -- Gene wired the new bell/lights to the existing crossing controller circuit in the Alpine Signal case. The bell still needs adjustment/cleaning and the light's sunshades/backscreens still need to be installed. MISCELLANEOUS: A traffic signal collector in Texas (Mike LeBleu) saw photos of our Acme Motorized Traffic Signal on our web site and requested additional photos to aid in the restoration of his signal. He must recast the entire top piece and overhaul the entire unit. One of the pictures that we sent him is attached to this email. OCTOBER SIGNALS MEETING NOTICE: --- SATURDAY October 23th --- This is our regular 4th Saturday workday this month. Everyone is welcome and appreciated. 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. |