March 2020

We were able to accomplish a few things in early March before the shutdown of operations of the Friends due to COVID-19.  The sliding doors between seats were installed, the interior woodwork was sprayed with a clear sealer and there was progress on installing the clerestory windows.

For spraying the seats and hardware, etc., were taped off and covered.

The wood was wiped with tack cloths.

Craig did the spraying with Mike helping mix and pour.

It was a water based sealer but Craig wore a protective respirator.

Here is some of the door installation crew.  Dean is seen through the opening, John C. is removing tape from the masking, Craig is next to the right, Larry in the background, and John W. to the right.  The wood is more reflective after the sealer was applied.

Craig made the doors in his shop.

John E. is installing the brass hand-holds.

Dean is fastening down the upper track.

This photo shows the door in place, partially open, with the brass hand-hold.  The hand-holds all face in the same direction on both sides of the car according to photos that we have.

This photo shows one of the doors in the closed position, providing privacy between the berth areas.

We made good headway on the clerestory windows.  Some of the hardware is mounted, most of the pulls and some of the ratchet hardware for holding the window open is installed.

We had an assembly line going for the hardware mounting.  Mike on the left, Don and John E.

I was marking and drilling holes.

Mike and Don are applying the moisture barrier to the pillar between clerestory windows.

This photo shows the window opening from the inside of the car.  The moisture barrier (gray and black) is wrapped around the framing of the window and a wood block fastened over it.  See previous post for a view of the outside.

Dean and John C. are fitting a window.  Each one had to be custom fit.

This photo shows a window in place with hardware installed from the outside of the car.

A closeup of the hardware.  Originally the window could be tilted open toward the inside of the car and the notches in the fan-shaped piece would hold it open to various degrees.  It has been decided that these windows will not be opened but will retain the original look.

This is a view from the inside of the car.  The brass pull is on the upper part of the frame.

Craig was also able to get the clerestory window screen frames primed.

We had a "mini" work session in Craig's shop to make the berth platforms.  He had a piece of plywood cut to the size and shape of the platforms with a panel saw.  There was some slight variation in sizes of the different platforms so each was labelled.  We first laid out the three frame pieces, one at each end and one in the middle.  Craig and Dean are starting a new platform.

The edge piece was clamped in place, then the first board nailed to the cross members.

More boards were added and nailed.

When all the decking was in place the platform was turned over and additional framing nailed in  place along the edge.  The initial edge piece, now on the underside, was secured with nails.

Craig, with Maggie's help, continued on subsequent days to finish the berths.







Now we are "paused."  What happens going forward I don't know.  I will not be able to go to Antonito so this blog may or may not continue.  If I can get photos and updates I will be happy to post them.  Stay tuned.

ADDENDUM:   The weather has been good and while maintaining social distancing/staying home guidelines, Craig has kept busy.  He sprayed the upper berths with clear sealer.  This photo shows them drying.

He also obtained some bronze screen material and mounted it in  the clerestory screen frames.