Preparation for steel - 3-17-12

The next several weeks will be devoted to cleaning up the framing and preparing for installing the steel reinforcing so that the car will be trackworthy.

Following elevation of the car, new stairs were built for easy access to the inside.  The photo on the left shows the west end coming from the workshop area, and the one on the right is the east end.

There will be steel angle pieces running the length of the car alongside the inner sill that Tom is straddling.  The framing cross pieces are being removed and cut down slightly to accomodate the thickness of the steel.  Each piece was numbered with a corresponding number placed at its location since the measurements differed slightly at different locations.  The mortises were left at the outer ends, and brackets will be fabricated at the inner ends of the cross pieces to hold them in place.

Meanwhile, Craig has been busy as usual making window framing as shown on the left.  The piece on the back of the bench is the original frame for one of the cabinets at the end of the car over the door.  On the right, John is calculating the steel requirements.  He and Glenn have been spending considerable time working out the details of the dimensions and installation plans.

On a personal note, I must apologize to those who have sent comments with questions.  I just discovered them, and will try to check the comments more frequently and respond as appropriate.