Meet the Carriages

Another change to this site is the addition of a "Meet Our Carriages" page. Click on the link under About us to view details and photos on all of our cars.

Site Update

There has been some updates to this site and more are planned.

The most obvious update will be the labeling of all posts. On the left under labels you will see a list of the labels used. These labels identify what each post is about. Click on 683 for example and you will see each mention of 683 in this blog.

Maybe a quick explanation of what each label means is in order. The carriage numbers are obvious but the others may not be as clear.

Links are other sites our members and visitors might find interesting.
Misc. is for entries that aren't easily classified, this one for example.
News posts cover information about TRAK or news in general that might affect TRAK.
Plans will let you know what we intend to happen at the carriage site in the near future.
Reports will let you know what we did on our most recent workday.

If you think there should be other labels please let me know, (leave a comment). Do you find the labels useful?
What else can we do to the blog to add to your reading pleasure?

Keep visiting here as there are some more changes coming, very soon I hope.

Stacked

The donated timber has arrived and the details follows but first a little background. A large Silky Oak tree was cut down and was offered to our friends at Hawkesbury Woodcraft. They had sufficient timber and remembered that the interior of our carriages used Silky Oak quite a bit for things like seats. So we were offered it. They would arrange for it to be sawn into manageable sizes and we would store it to age. After a few false starts and setbacks this is what happened.

Alan, Justin and Kevin arrived at the site early to clear a space inside 683 to stack it. They also needed to prepare spacers to go between the boards to allow the air to circulate. These are important as the timber needs to have a moisture content of less than 10% before it can be used. We had been given some scrap plywood that was cut up for this.

After lunch the Andy Macs' truck arrived with the timber. Paul providing an escort to the site (for no particular reason, he just timed it well!) where Alan was waiting at the front gate to guide it in.

After the timber was unloaded it had to be moved into 683 and stacked carefully. Paul and Kevin provided the muscle to move it while Justin and Alan provided the knowledge (and some muscle) to stack it.

There was some sign of moisture between the boards, we don't know exactly when it was cut and how long it has been waiting to be moved. As it is now stacked under cover and with spacers it should dry out fine. There are various sized pieces and after drying it will be useful as we progress with the restoration of the carriages.

How Things Worked

Here is any interesting site that details how some rail equipment works. It is US based but some of the technology was used in Australia. In NSW for example we used the belt driven electrical power and steam heating. Our cars have the belt drive system. It was called the Stones system as that is the manufacturer of much of the gear.

It is based on the drawings of a retired New Haven employee who spent his career working on rolling stock. He is recording what he remembers so it won't be lost.

Stacks to Do

We received a message this morning that some timber that had been donated to us has been cut and is ready. Fortunately the timber yard are going to deliver it (no charge). But we need to stack it properly so it can dry. We have been given some scrap ply that will be cut into strips and placed between the timber.

All of this is to happen next Sunday so everyone who can please be there. If you want more info please give Alan a call.

The First

After a few false starts we finally had a workday yesterday. I received a report from my onsite correspondent as I was unable to attend. Anyone else who was there and wishes to add details please do so.

Work continued on the window sill. Paul and Alan got stuck into it. It justs needs a final sand and paint now. Stephen cleaned up the carriage. As work had mainly been on the outside lately the inside became a dumping ground so it needed attention.

Alan had to leave early so it was decided to to call it a day.

Back to Work

We are hopeful we can finally get back to work this Sunday. The forecast is good at this stage, fine and 28. A confirmation will be posted later in the week.

At the Quarry

If you are at a loss for what to do with the workdays being cancelled we have the answer. The Australian Railway Historical Society has just released a new book on the Quarry Railways around Sydney. It is part of the Sydney's Forgotten Railway series that has been so popular. It covers our local Yarramundi line as well as 5 others. Go to the TRAK site to download an price list and order form. For more info email us, see the profile page for contact details.

Summer Days

Its that time of year again. The hot lazy days of Summer. Unfortunately it is not good weather for carriage restoration. We have cancelled all workdays so far this year, one for lack of volunteers and the rest due to extreme weather.

Last Sunday was the first one with suitable weather but due to a number of things most of our regulars were unavailable.

Our plans for next Sunday, 21st, are on hold at the moment as the forecast is for 41 degrees C. Not suitable weather for working on the side of wooden carriages. If there is a change to the forecast as the day gets closer we will review the cancellation.

That's The End of That

Well for this year anyway. We had our last workday for 2006 yesterday and it was just some of the usual crowd who showed up. We were hoping our carriage guru would be available but he didn't call. The weather was good for working although it felt a little warmer than forecast.

We arrived to find Mario had the truck parked across the driveway so that was a good excuse to have a chinwag. When we finally got to the worksite it was time for a good cuppa. When the important bits were taken care of we finally got to the carriage. The filler we had applied on the last workday was well set so we cleaned it up and sanded it off. As we expected it needed a bit of topping off so that was done and then we went to lunch.

Paul had provided a huge tray of sandwiches along with a cheese plate and followed by fresh fruit salad and accompanied by suitable refreshment (non alcoholic of course, the safety officer couldn't bring anything else to a worksite). We could get used to this. I should mention there were some beetroot sandwiches, sorry but that is an inside joke and for those who don't get it just be thankful that I'm not going to explain it! We could get used to this. Nora and Mario joined us and we saw out the final workday in style.

When Alan suggested that it might be good to let the filler cure till the next workday the idea was met with hearty agreement. All that was left was to clean up the worksite and the lunch area and we could call it a day.

Thanks Paul for looking after us and for those of you who didn't make it you miss a fine meal.

(There were no photos today as although I took a couple they were the same as previous occasions, just Alan working and everyone else hiding. I should have taken a shot of the lunch but was more interested in consuming than recording).

Filming Trains

At the last meeting we played a tape of the Glenreagh Mountain Railway. I have just found this blog of a filmmaker who has made a documentary on the volunteers there.

Last for the Year

After last week's workday was cancelled, due to the extreme weather forecast, a new forecast was released that reduced the temperture but the first one turned out to be accurate. Some of the committee members met to work a special project I can't talk about yet so the day wasn't wasted.

Next Sunday will be the last workday for the year. The forecast is good apart from the chance of an early shower but that usually means it won't get this far inland. So hope to see all carriage group members and anyone else who can make it.

The End is Near

Working on the window sills is almost finished. We continued on the last section yesterday. Despite our first impression that it was in good condition it turned out to be the worst area with a couple of very bad spots.

Alan and Kevin removed the windows etc as Paul and I continued cleaning and sanding the sills. We were pleased when Stephen arrived as he has picked up lunches on the way.

After lunch as the temperature climbed into the 30s, a start was made on preparing the ends of the car. The doors and end walls were sanded. The window bars were removed. Being under cover the ends are in good condition and we may just sand them back a bit and give them and coat of paint.

Alan tested the self drilling screws for the sides and they work well. Putting the sides on won't be a difficult job but will be a big one.

Alan is pictured applying filler while Kevin watches and Paul reclines comfortably inside asking when this train is due to depart. As usual click on the picture for a larger image.

This will be the last workday for a couple of weeks. Next weekend is the Penrith exhibition and the following Sunday is the TRAK Christmas event. See the calender on the left for details.

A Leaderless Rabble

Well it could have been. Alan wasn't able to be there so that left Kevin, Paul and I. Fortunately we were able to keep each other working and we finished the section of window sill we started at the last workday a month ago.

We arrived to find that there wasn't any problem despite some wild weather of the last couple of weeks. All the tarps were fine and only the corners of the plastic we used to cover the current work area had lifted.

After sanding the area we filled last time Kevin painted the sill. After lunch we started to prepare the next and last section. We haven't removed the windows yet but that is the next step. Apart from a small area where a plug has rotted the last bit of sill appears to be in good condition.

So that is our task for next Sunday. Remove the windows and finish that part of the sill. Anyone who can help please come along.

A Bit Wet

Due to the wet weather today we canceled the workday. It is impossible to sand and paint wet timber. Weather permitting we will have a workday next Sunday. Since we canceled it the rain has stopped, of course, but the timber will still be too wet to work on.

Alan has purchased the screws need to fit the sides. That will be our next job as soon as the window sills are done. It will happen sooner with more help so anyone who can please give us a hand.

Rail Video

A reminder to all our workers there will be no workday this weeekend as it is the Kurrajong Scarecrow Festival and we will be there. The next workday will be next Sunday 5th November, check the calendar on the left for other dates.

In the mean time have a look at Derailed for a great video.

Another Carriage?

TRAK has been offered the donation of an additional American Suburban (aka end platform) carriage. We made an offer for this car a few years ago but were unsuccessful. The owners wish to dispose of it and are now offering to donate it to TRAK.

The only problem is our site is full. We need somewhere to store it if we are not going to miss out on it. Our prez David is currently following up some leads but without success so far. If you know of anywhere in the local area where we may be able to store it please let us know.

This is a generous offer TRAK would like to take advantage of so please contact us if you can help.

Still on the Sill

Work continued on the window sill yesterday. We have progressed to the 1st Class end of the car. Half the windows in that section were removed and repairs to the sill were carried out. We were disappointed to find it was in worse condition than we had expected. There were several areas that had been previously repaired with plugs or filler. Many of these had to be redone. A first coat of filler was applied, it will be sanded and a second application made next workday. It was left to set as the weather had turned cool and with light showers.

There was a comment that from the photos people will think only Alan does any work. There is not totally true, everyone else gets out of shot quickly. In this shot Alan is sanding the sill as Kevin moves not quite quickly enough to be out of the photo. Paul and yours truly were also there. (Click on the picture for a larger image).

Quote of the day - "that screw was holding by a thread" - Kevin as he removed a very rusted screw holding on the windows.

There will be an exciting announcement in the next couple of days so call back again soon.

There won't be a workday for a couple of weeks. Next weekend is the Air Show and traffic will be a mess around the area (if you're coming to the show use the train). The following Sunday will be Scarecrow Festival at Kurrajong, drop by if you can. We will be back here on 5th November. As always check the calender on this page.

Sacred Institution

Nothing to do with carriages but plenty to do with our workdays, especialy as they are usually held on Sundays.

See this site

Enjoy

547 in Position

Today saw 547 buffered up to 343. It was on the track but not pushed back. Now we will be able to adjust the tarps so hopefully 1349 will be covered.

Alan continued with the window sill. The 2nd class end is done and work has started on the 1st class sill. The area where we have removed the windows is now covered by plastic.

There was little damage from the wind storm last week. Some branches had blown down but didn't hit anything. Some loose timbers on 343 moved but no damage.

Alan has repaired the generator again. It will be needed soon when we put the sides on.

Don't know what Stephen is looking at. When he stands there pensively we start worrying what he is going to dream up next! As usual Alan is working quietly in the background.

Click on the picture to see a larger version.