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Another problem surfaced when we decided to open the cooling shutters to let in some light. They were frozen closed! These are now being removed and rebuilt. The problem was that rust and dirt had accumulated in the pivot holes, preventing the shutters from opening. The air cylinders will be rebuilt too since the piston cups are hardened. As planned, on June 11th, the crane showed up to remove the roof hatches. Thanks to Dave Burla for making this happen. |
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By the time I arrived on the scene at 8am, Don McPherson, Jon Vlasak, and Dave Burla had the dynamic brake (front) hatch removed already. Here Don hooks the chains to the eye-bolts on the main hatch. |
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the panel finally lifts off evenly. |
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The panel slowly swings around and then dumps what's left of the coolant that was sitting in the radiators. |
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The hatch rests on a temporary stand so that the crane
can be moved forward a few feet. The hatch will be placed directly in front
of the locomotive on the three wooden supports. This is where we will get
it ready for paint before it goes back on the engine.
After closer inspection of the hatch I noticed a "915-D" engraved on the front of the panel. 915 was one of the last f-units to be retired in 1979 (hanging around that long only as a parts source), leaving the final 4 as we knew it. A part of 915-D lives on... |
Photos and text - Dan Furtado (6/02)
