Chapter News!

Some interesting items:

First off, Frontrunner South opens December 10th, which is exciting for many because it connects Utah Valley with the rest of the Wasatch Front's rail network, and one can take the train all the way from Provo to Ogden. Great news, even though the interurban network used to run from Preston, Idaho all the way south to Payson...Frontrunner isn't anything new, but it is definately a welcome addition to the rapid growth of Northern Utah.

The chapter hosted an open house during the two visits from Union Pacific 844 in September. Because the 844 pulled into the museum tracks forwards rathern than backing in as usual, it was positioned directly in front of the shop, which attracted many people to see the work on the 223.

Jay Hudson, the man responsible for the restroom rennovation, has kept busy interviewing our current restoration crew, and has written short biographies that were added to the chapter website today - interesting stuff if you want to know more about the people behind the 223 project. The updates can bee seen here: Volunteer Biographies

On a more somber note, we are sorry to hear that Bob Wachs passed away Sunday, November 25th, of pancreatic cancer. Bob was the blacksmith of the project, and rode Frontrunner every Saturday from Murray to help out. His eagerness and smile will be missed.

Bob (with the hammer) making a bracket for the coupler cutoff bar.

Updates on the 223

Well, it's been a while since we last posted about the 223, so here's what's happened during that long interlude. This is one photo-filled blog post, so hold onto your hats folks!

The cab floors:

 

The coupler cutoff bar:

Coal capacity extension boards:

Piping brackets: (the PVC is just a stand-in...the final piping will be real metal)

Lots of work accomplished...the tender is almost done!





More equipment security

A little update on the Rail Center and Utah State Railroad Museum equipment security:

Ogden City and the Ogden Police Department are moving forward towards installing cameras that will be tied into the Ogden security camera system, to catch vandalism while it happens. In addition, approval has been made to repair the fence along the back and side, which is very much in need of patching.

All of the broken windows have now been boarded over, and approval has been given also to purchase replacement glass to fix the damage.

The 833 hasn't been forgotten either. A few months ago vandals knocked down the rear storm wall of the cab, and the Golden Spike Chapter removed it completely to repair the hinges and door which were badly rusted. Work on the wall and door has progressed quickly, but in the meantime, plywood has been placed over the large opening to keep people out of the cab.

Improvements to the shop

Well, the restroom has been finished and boy does it look good! As mentioned before, in a nod to the 223's Rio Grande heritage, the walls were painted in the aspen gold and silver four-stripe scheme that adorned many of the D&RGW's passenger cars and locomotives.

Some close-ups of the decorations:

Print of a Gil Bennett painting of the 223 (which is for sale, by the way, on the chapter ebay page)

This shield was made by Jay, who was behind the improvements to the restroom. If the latin confuses you, it means "volunteer labor", an appropriate slogan for an all-volunteer, donation-funded project.

And of course, some golden spikes. This is Utah, after all, and the 1869 completion of the Trancontinental Railroad is as much a part of the museum's heritage as the 223.

Some have remarked that we probably have the best-looking restroom in any restoration shop in the country. While most of us have little to compare to, you just can't beat the four-stripe scheme.

But wait...Jay wasn't content just to work on the restroom, and moved on to build a mug rack for the coffee station! Thanks, Jay, for your help.

June 9, 1012 work session

Lots of work was acomplished today, so here's a quick rundown:

The cab floors have been cut out, so it was time for a test-fit to mark hole centers for the mounting bolts. Below, fireman's side:

Our fearless president weighs down the floor plate while our newest volunteer, Michelle, taps the center punch:

Blackstone Models, in exchange for drawings of the 223, provided artwork for the tender lettering. The final lettering will be made out of vinyl.

Meanwhile, our "Improve the Shop" project is progressing nicely. With the door fixed, work has progressed to the bathroom, which was badly in need of an upgrade. Jay Hudson, a member of the Union Station Foundation Board, suggested that it be painted in the Rio Grande's four-stripe silver and aspen gold scheme...so that's what's happening!

For an example of the four-stripe scheme on an EMD F-Unit, click here: victorianweb.org

And for something out of the ordinary, Bob Wachs, the chapter blacksmith, made a toilet paper holder out of spikes, in keeping with the railroading theme.

Hats are available!

Above: The original 223 hat hangs in the locker room of the enginehouse at Golden Spike National Historic Site, Promontory, Utah.

We have hats available! The last two runs (original and 130th anniversary) have long since been sold out, but at the request of several people across the country, we have made another run, this time with "Built 1881" spelled out on either side of the logo.

The hats can be purchased through e-bay for $15.00, plus $5.00 shipping & handling. See pictures here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110891843911

Thanks to all those that purchased the last two runs! Remember, all proceeds go directly towards the 223 restoration.

Door repairs

The restoration shop, otherwise known as the Trainmen's Building, is by far the oldest building on the Utah State Railroad Museum compound. Its exact build date is not known, but it first appears on Sanborn Fire Insurance maps in 1916, eight years before the current station building was built. At such an age it isn't surprising that things have settled, and for years the front personell door has been off center, so much so that considerable effort was needed to open and close it as it dragged against the floor.

The Golden Spike Chapter brought this matter up with the Union Station Foundation Board, who appropriated money to repair the doorframe. To help cover the costs, and as a thank-you for allowing the chapter use of the station facilities free of charge for our monthly meetings, the hat was passed around and the donations contributed towards the building funds.

 The white is a portion of the doorframe that needed to be replaced. New hinges were installed as well.

The door was planed as well, which allows it to actually fit into the doorframe when closed!

The repairs were handled by a contractor, a friend of one of the chapter members. The door frame was straightened up, old wood replaced, and the door squared so that it would close properly. Now it opens and closes with ease, and that ear-rending screech when it was opened is no more.