Wednesday, September 27, 2006

OERM Signal Activities - Sept 23 (Sat. only)

Mapes Grade Crossing rebuild ----
1.) Wire for under street conduit from A-case to B-case did not arrive from supplier so we searched "out-back" for suitable replacement but none found. Plan is to get crossing operational using previous overhead wires across Mapes and add the new underground wire in later.
2.) Wire from B-case to L-Gate terminated and connected at both ends.
3.) Wire (4 #6s) pulled into conduit from Battery Box to B-case -- 10 VDC and 16 VDC.
4.) New terminal strips added in B-case.
5.) Following still needs to be done to get crossing fully operational -- new battery wires terminated and connected, pull in track wires at both north and south track island points (conduit already in place), terminate track wires, install & connect charger.
6.) Mapes Signals must be fully operational before Thomas.
(Gene, Allen, Gary)

MoW Bucket Truck repair ----
1.) Rebolt bracket for front right leaf springs.
2.) Replace locks for doors and ignition switch.
3.) Pulled valve cover and rocker assembly for inspection -- looks clean.
4.) Inspection of boom shows fiberglass degradation is just cosmetic -- entire boom is steel. Appears fiberglas was added as insulation for high voltage protection.
5.) Hydraulic pump was separate and is missing -- Mike's plan is to try and add transfer pump to transmission rather than a belt driven pump or a stand-alone pump.
6.) Inspection shows missing cooling inlet/thermostat cover and bypass.
7.) Previously pulled pan --- inspection shows 2 spun crank/rod bearings but otherwise clean.
(Mike and Ron)

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

OERM Signal Activities - Aug 26-27

Mapes Grade Crossing rebuild ----
1.) Poured a concrete floor in the base of the B case (south side).
2.) Drilled hole in south gate and installed LB condulet.
3.) Pulled in wires for south gate to B case.
(Gene, Allen, Mike)

Signal Garden Cleanup ----
Pulled several dumpsters full of weeds and small trees that had grown to the point where they obscured the signals themselves and definitely limited the view of the garden by passers-by.
(Allen, Ron, Gary)

Miscellaneous ----
1.) Moved many of the "storage" type items from around the Signal Shop (mostly south of the shop road) to the out back storage area. Used the MoW stake bed to easily fork in and out the pallets of stuff.

2.) Reviewed (and admired) the new water cooler Mike installed in the machine shop. Discussed future "improvements" to keep the water from warming up prior to getting to the water cooler -- it seems the chiller in it can not overcome the heat gained by the water through the uninsulated feed line.

Additional activities on Saturday Sept 9 -- Paul and Gene selected the cables to be pulled across the reconstructed Mapes crossing and finished the monthly inspections.