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918 February 2004 update
918
February, 2004 Update

Work has continued on 918 since October, even though the site hasn't been updated since...

Currently, the main projects include:
-Repairing the pilot.
-Reassembling the side panels on the right side.
-Rebuilding the brake rigging.

During the past 2 months we picked up some new and much needed help. New members Guy Kelley, Luke Kelley and Mhat Bernstein have been showing up just about every week since  January.

Don McPherson and Jon Vlasak have been hard at work on the pilot. The upper curved part of it was so badly damaged that it was decided to cut that section off and replace it with new metal. That has proven to be quite a job. We had some metal formed at a metal shop, then Don had to come up with a way to create the other curve. A little hard to explain here, but suffice to say it's been quite a project. He did come up with a way to stamp in the other curve. The left side is almost done.

During January, the brake rigging on the lead truck was removed. Bushings will need to be made to replace the old ones that were badly worn. There was some very noticeable slop in the parts that caused uneven and premature wear on the brake shoes and some parts.

The new stainless bolts that will be used to hold the side panels in place arrived on 2/28. Cork gasket material was placed between the panels and the frame. Guy, Mhat, Luke and Dan Furtado worked on installing the new bolts on 2/28. 

Photos from January...

Left side panels primed and ready to go back up.
Don sprays primer on the upper side panels. Al Fowler and Jon Vlasak watch from a safe distance.
New patch panels have been welded in place. Body filler is being applied to hide the seams. Grab iron was temporarily removed to do repair work underneath where it mounts.
The MU receptacle has been removed. WP added these to many of the "A" units during the 1960's. It was decided to removed these in order to restore 918 to her early '50's appearance. Safety chain hooks were also removed.
Another patch above the lead truck.

And this month...


Luke Kelley works on installing the new stainless bolts while Mhat Bermstein assists from the inside.
Luke and Mhat...
Luke works on installing the new bolts.
Work continues on the upper curved piece that makes up the upper segment of the pilot.
Pilot without the upper curved piece. 
And I got a little distracted today - removing a metal plate on the PLA's newest acquisition - former NWP/SP SD9 4423 that is now parked just behind 918. Howard Wise has been working on getting her up and running for her eventual move to Niles Canyon. Gyra-Lites are going back up, and SP style Black Widow paint is being considered.

January photos by Dan Furtado
February photos by Howard Wise


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