May 30 - Operations training & Engine Workday

A big thank you to the 24 volunteers who showed up on Saturday for the SPRS Operating Safety Session.  This was the initial training for a subset of volunteers who will be assisting on our initial operation of locomotiveson the historic site.  We will continue to offer training at future TBD sessions. After the training and a bratwurst luncheon, we were able to squeeze in a few hours of work in the afternoon.

SPRS Board Members Doug Junda, Tom Larson, and Sam Kunugi, along with volunteer Mattie Garnhart.  Sam and Mattie provided the half day of operations training that included taking out the Plymouth for demos (Photo: James M.)

Sam Kunugi and Mattie Garnhart kicked off a training session that included definitions, operating practices and general safety around railroads. We use the initial draft of our rulebook as a teaching aid. We will be referencing the rulebook frequently and until a timetable is released this will be our operations bible.

Sam and Mattie in the roundhouse “classroom” behind 608.  We were able to fit another 2 rows of attendees behind those in the photo. Photo: Tom L.

Left: Outdoor demonstrations began with directing the Plymouth onto the turntable and then the main line, with the task being to pick up the P-car (Rider car for passengers this summer) and take it to the depot to practice loading configuration with the stairs.  Right: Sam and Mattie demonstrate using a Blue sign indicating that they will be working on the P-car (right of frame).  This involved checking it before moving it.

Left: Mattie demonstrates using hand signals to allow Sam to reverse and couple the P-car under the watchful eyes of the team. Right: Mattie demonstrates proper foot and hand placement as the P-car is moved to the depot.  Note stairs at center of P- car that will be used for loading and unloading passengers.

Class dismissed for the entire crew at the depot.  Note Siegfried Barthel in center sitting on stairs.  They fit with the platform perfectly. Thank you Sam and Mattie! Photo: Mike S.

Also in attendance were the Como Speeder crew including Scott Gudmunson, Brian Delaplaine, and Doug Summer – along with some from their Speeder Club. Photos: James M.

After lunch the team got back to work – Bob Schoppe and Dan Silbaugh finished off a major maintenance program on our diesel air compressor (sorry, no photo). The compressor is currently being used to power polishing, expanding, and rolling operations, and it allows us to use multiple tools at once.  The track crew also looks forward to using it for spike driving on Track 16 this summer.

The rest of the engine team focused on tube cutting and polishing; and polishing the remainder of the tube sheet holes.  We are well positioned to load, expand, and roll a multitude of tubes on June 6th.

Left: Mike Sharp and Dan Silbaugh rush by Jimmy Scoville, Tim Clay, and Tina Bogani sawing tubes.  Right: Jimmy Scoville polishes tubes while Takoda and Aaron Myers and Paul Marizza look on. Mike Sharp is busy polishing tube sheet holes in far left background.

There was a skeleton track crew onsite including Roadmaster Alex Hois, so we started on Track 16.  Historical drawings were used for the location coming off the turntable.  Since we are laying the track at ground level for the first 30 feet or so, there was a lot of digging required.  Eventually the Kubota revealed a vintage tie in the ground and we went to hand tools to fully expose it.  There wasn’t much of it left, but the good news was that the tie location showed that original Track 16 was exactly where we have planned the replacement track

Alex Hois exposes original tie from Track 16.  Not much was left but it showed original location

Siegfried Barthel and Alex pose with the big dig.  We subsequently got 5 ties down and will be ready for more including the first section of rail on the 6th

Left: Bob Peterson, Jim Vanore, and David Winner studying the Rulebook in the Machine Shop.  Right: Takota Myers displaying a vintage model Box Car in front of the tractor and 4319

A huge thank you to the team.  Another great day in Como.  Hope to see EVERYONE on June 6th.