We Needed this

Some time ago we were extending our track and needed to drill out some sleepers. It was a difficult job, fortunately Kevin had a heavy duty drill. This would have been ideal.

More Photos

The Photo Gallery has been updated with many new (actually old) photographs added. There are photos going back to 2002 now. Nearly one hundred images and still growing. I will add more as time allows.

Many of the photos were taken by me but some were taken by other members. If you have photos taken at the site of work on our carriages and other activities there please send me a copy so I can share them with everyone.

May Workday

It might appear early to have completed the workdays for the month but there will only be one this month due to other events. We hope to have one or two in June but even they may be difficult to fit in. Keep an eye on the calendar at the left for the latest information.

Paul and Kevin arrived early and a start was made on cleaning the heritage items. After Jim arrived they stopped for a morning tea. There was no time wasted though as we made plans for the display of some of our heritage items while taking our break. Kevin and Jim then moved onto car 547 leaving Paul cleaning and refinishing.

Our plan for the day was to clean and paint the metal items on each end of 547. The end platform has metal railings and uprights plus there are numerous pieces bolted to and through the headstock. The headstock is the large piece of timber that hold the buffers and couplers on each end. Actually they pass through and bolt to the frame but you get the idea. Rusted pieces were to be removed and where necessary repaired and painted before being replaced. There was no need to remove the couplers or buffers but they would be repainted. Some damaged railings had already been done and were ready to go back on, thanks Kevin. It was planned to clean up and repaint the headstock at the same time. Some nuts and bolts are being replaced as required.

We removed much rust and there was one panel we decided to remove completely. It covers the couplers and is part of the walkway between carriages. The bolts through the headstock were heavily rusted as they are vertical and the water just runs down them. It took some time and much applied muscle power to remove them. By that time it was nearly lunch time so by universal agreement we took a break.

The barbecue was lit and we enjoyed a well deserved repast of hamburgers with bacon and salad. We have the lunch almost down to a fine art now as we were better prepared than last week. There was an overabundance of BBQ tools this time. We need to work out a system for covering the costs of these lunches but as lunch for 3 or 4 is little more than we were each spending on takeaway it shouldn't be difficult.

Nora asked us for help loading a tram body and that took over after lunch. We managed to remove several parts for the Tramway Museum. Steve arrived while we were busy there. He was returning several items he had been working on at home. After finally getting the tram on the truck we decided it was too late to start back on 547 so called it a day.

Working for Our Lunch

We finally got to mow the grass around the carriages yesterday. Although it was only thin, spindly growth it was getting long so it was mowed down. Kevin and Alan got there early and got stuck in. When Paul and Jim arrived they gave a hand with the mowing and moved some fallen branches. It was all done in time for morning tea.

Kevin refilled the water tank too. So now there is water for the basin again. This was put to good use when we started cleaning the Heritage items. Most things were dusted or brushed. Paul started washing down the signs and got most done.

The stretchers were taken out in the sun and brushed to remove the worst of the dust. A couple of them felt a little damp after the wet week we have been fortunate to have so it was decided to move them to the van. They were all examined and it was realised one was different from the others. It is believed it is the most original having Tarpaulin Factory stamps and red handles. The others have green handles and on a couple it is apparent they were originally red. One is in poor condition with the canvas torn and paint peeling. We may restore that one to new condition. The others are in good to excellent condition and we will try and maintain them as they are.

Alan treated the metal on the side of 547 with Fish Oil. Some shows some corrosion but Kevin feels none is bad enough to be concerned about. It was decided to treated it and then spray it with rust resistant paint before replacing the sides.

Paul had won a meat tray at the club the previous evening and decided to share it with the rest of the team. So the BBQ was moved away from the carriage and lit up. Kevin had repaired the tray that hold the volcanic rocks so this was the first use in TRAK hands. We dined on steak, pork and lamb chops with onions and fresh bread rolls. Mario and Nora joined us for the meal and all enjoyed it. Certainly a big improvement of takeaway. We hope to make this a regular feature of future workdays.

Kevin had repaired the handbrake assembly of 683 and it was moved into the car for storage until it is replaced on the rear platform. Kevin has been gradually working through the metal parts of this carriage, repairing and repainting as needed. We hope to replace the headstock very soon.

Paul got back to cleaning signs until a call from our treasurer looking for end of month paperwork meant a couple of us needed to scurry home to get it ready.

The photo gallery has been updated, some new albums were created with photos from yesterday, there is a general one as well as one for 683. The Heritage items has been updated with several new photos and one or two were added to the 547 album. Click on the new link on the top left to access the gallery.

Calendar Update

The TRAK Calendar has been updated to include NSW Public Holidays and school terms. This may assist our workers in checking if they can make it to our workdays.

The workday on the June long weekend has been moved to the Monday so some of our people who aren't available on Sundays may be able to come for the day.

Just click on the heading of the calendar to see the full calendar, it can be viewed for the day, week or month.

More on Heritage Items

Some photos of the heritage items have been added to the album I started with the last post. These are still in their as received condition. We intend to give them a thorough inspection and clean up over the next few workdays. See the photos here.

Hopefully there will be a workday this weekend. the forecast is hopeful, Sunday will be the first fine day for a week if the BOM is right.

Heritage Items Donated

StateRail has begun the immense task of sorting out their Heritage Collection. Items that are not considered part of the core collection are being distributed to various Rail Heritage groups. We were invited to tender for some items and were successful in obtaining a number of them. We had to collect them from the Heritage store on Sunday.

As there were a few large items, desks and cabinets etc. it was decided to hire a small truck to move everything in one go. Kevin was appointed trucker, John his offsider / navigator, Jim drove the crew car with Alan and Paul as labourers, David assisted with unloading and arranged storage for some items. The collection was loaded in the morning and delivered in the afternoon. Some of the items have been left at the carriage site for cleaning up so they can be displayed at the Museum display in Kurrajong village.



There are a couple of photos here and more of various items will be added later.

Adding to Our Collection

TRAK has been given a number of items that are considered excess to the SRA Heritage collection. Several other rail groups have also obtained items. This Sunday we will collecting them and moving them to storage. We intend to make many of them available for public display.

Consequently the regular workday will not be held this weekend.

Fit to be Tied

Well the workday went ahead today. With the early showers and overnight rain I doubted any mowing would happen and I was right. The grass is just that fine spindly stuff and hasn't grown and as it was wet we didn't mow.

We did however find plenty to keep us busy for the morning. A couple of ropes on the tarps had snapped and we fixed one and had to replace another one. We need some more rope as we have used up all we had on site.

After the rope tying we started discussing the Hobby Show. The site plan is being prepared and as we have had a good response from exhibitors the hall is filling up. There are a couple of stands we still need. Some rides would be nice too.

After all this we called it a day at noon as a couple of us had other places to be.

We are planning a special day next Sunday so stay tuned for details when we have it worked out.

Updating the Update

I knew I would forget to add something in the list of site updates. And I was right.

The new Carriage Report (PDF file) has been added. Click on the link on the left to download it. The new OnTrak newsletter is on the TRAK website to. Click on the link on the left and go to the updates page for the download link.

Site Updated Again

There have been some changes to this site over the last couple of weeks. You may have noticed some of them.

First the map option on the calendar works for most events. The exception is the Workdays. The carriage restoration site is private property and so the address is not made public. All other events have a map although some are not real accurate. Just click on the event and the information screen has a map option, click on it and you will see a Google map with the location marked.

Second, the Meet our Carriages page has some more information and photos added. Although it is a little technical most people will find it interesting. Some more additional info like this may follow.

Speaking of photos many posts from now on, the workday reports at least, will have a link to additional photos. They are stored on our Picasa site. Hopefully some old ones will be added there later and then a link will be added to the main page.

I think that's all the recent changes. Please let us know what you think of them and what else you would like to see on this site. Your comments are appreciated.

Easter Plans

Next weekend is Easter and so our workday will be moved to Monday.

At this stage our main plan for the day is site maintenance. the grass needs mowing and there might be a bit of cleaning up to do. If there are enough people we will continue work on 547.

A Productive Day

After several false starts over the last few weeks we finally had a workday. The plan for the day was to complete the windowsill of 547. But as will be seen several other things happened along the way.

First our President, David, arrived with a BBQ he was donating to the association. It arrived in pieces but as can be seen in the photo David and Kevin soon had it sorted out. It needed a grill replaced and Kevin said he had a suitable part and has taken the piece home to fix. Once it is operational we will be able to host a BBQ for our members. It will also be available for workers to use (subject to fire restrictions etc.) as long as they keep it clean. It has been stored under one of the cars so it is out of the weather but still easy to access. Thanks David and Kevin.

The new caretaker Reg wandered over and introduced himself too. We were surprised to learn he has a strong interest in trains and was able to tell a few interesting tales. No doubt there will be more in future.

Our founding Vice President Jim (not the same Jim who writes this though) has donated a genuine carriage luggage rack. It is similar to the fake ones we bought earlier but as it is original it will get pride of place.

After the enjoyable interruptions we finally got to the sill. It was better than we expected as there was less to redo than we thought. We sanded it, particularly underneath which had not received much attention earlier as most damage was to the more exposed top. After we (or I should say Alan) were happy with it a coat of under coat was applied to protect it until we are ready to paint the whole side.

The steps and other area of exposed bare timber were also given a coat of undercoat while we had brush in hand. It's not safe to stand still for too long or Kevin will paint you!

After cleaning up the site the generator was loaded into Jim's trailer. David has offered to have a look at it and see if it can be fixed. 3 tired workers then made their way home.

You can see more pictures here. Click on pictures on this page or in the album to see them larger.

Next Workday

We are planning to have a workday this Sunday. it will be the first workday for a few weeks due to a number of things. We plan to finally finish the window sill. We will then plan the next stage of work on 547.

The forecast is good, at this stage, fine and 23 which is good working weather. Any members who can help please let us know and be there on the day.

No Workday

There won't be a workday this Sunday as there are no volunteers available. Next weekend is the Springwood Exhibition (if you can help out there please let us know) so the next workday will be on 25th.

Alan wants to finish the window sill so we can start on the cladding. The sill will require some sanding etc. After a final inspection it may require a little filling or touch up of the undercoat. Then we will start replacing the cladding on the side. The window frames need to be prepared for repair too.

Donate Your Search

An Australian Blogging site has set up a page that allows you to use Google Search and support some worthwhile charities at the same time. It still works the same as using Google.com but provides much needed funds for worthwhile causes. See the Blognow Site for more details.

This inititive is worthy of your support so give it a go.

Updates Keep Coming

The Carriage page has been updated again. Some history details have been added for each car. Click on the link on the left to view the page.

There is no facility on that page to leave comments. however if you have any comments, ideas or suggestions please leave them here. Any ideas to improve this site or the carriage page would be appreciated.

Yard Maintenance

One of the jobs that needs to be done but isn't very popular is looking after the yard around our carriages. We raked up leaves and removed fallen branches and other debris. This reduces the fire risk as well as keeping the area looking cleaner.

Justin arrived early and Alan and Jim a little later. Unfortunately that was all that turned up. It was a big job for so few especially given the warm day, into the 30's I believe. It is therefore surprising that so much got down.

There is still a bit to do but not much. It should be easy to finish next week.

In the photo, Justin was really getting into it loading leaves manually into the barrow. Innumerable loads were removed from the area over the day.

Click on the image for a larger view.

Calendar Update

The Calendar published in the latest OnTrak shows a workday on 8th April. As this is Easter the workday will probably be held on the Monday. This will be confirmed closer to the day.

Dark and Stormy

"It was a dark and stormy night", the famous words written by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton in 1830 as the first line of his novel "Paul Clifford" describe quite well the morning we woke to yesterday. As a result the workday didn't happen.

The forecast for next Sunday is more hopeful, fine and 31 degrees, so with a bit of luck we will be able to have a workday then.