First I must apologize for the hiatus in postings on the progress of Pullman sleeper 0252/470. My wife, Judy had a major stroke in March of last year, and I suddenly became a caregiver. She is improving slowly, but still has right arm and leg paralysis and is unable to speak. She is able to understand speech and recognizes people, and is undergoing therapy to recover as much function as possible. My job now is coordinating and transporting her to therapy and doctor's appointments, assisting in therapy, and providing general care when we don't have a caregiver present.
I will take up where we left off with the welding of the steel pieces together to make a continuous steel frame from coupler to coupler which is required by FRA regulations.
This photo shows the angle steel attached to the end sill with spacers all welded to the angle steel running the length of the car along the two center sills. A tie rod extends toward the upper right corner of the photo.
This photo shows the two angle steel pieces running along the center sills at one of the bolster locations. The trucks will be located here, and steel plates were added and welded in place to reinforce this point.
The third photo shows one of the corners of the inside of the car where the roof attaches. A steel strap is welded to the plate that is over the door at the end of the car and extends along the upper sill and is welded to an angle that is attached to the sill. See the previous post for views of this area.
The next photo shows almost the entire length of the strap piece on the left side of the car. Bill and Bruce have been placing bolts in the end plate which can be seen over their heads.
This photo was taken at the end of May showing a Baker heater which was obtained from the Montana Historical Society for a nominal sum. It was intended to be scrapped when one of the Friends noticed it and rescued it. It is not complete, but will be helpful in constructing patterns for new one. Sleeper 470 probably had one originally, and it provided hot water that was distributed through the car for heat.
Meanwhile, Craig has been busy laminating and shaping the truck bolsters in his shop. These are white oak.
These are truck brake beams, also white oak.
