Shop Updates for February 13, 2009

I guess the word for the month down at the BHC Roundhouse the past few weeks is "BUSY!"
We were able to get a lot of tasks accomplished and new ones started. Our jobs that we accomplished are bringing us closer and closer to the start of another terrific season. Repairs on Engine #110 boiler are being completed, and soon we will be shopping engine #7 for its yearly inspection and repairs. The new car #65 will be seeing its new wood in the next weeks to come. Please visit the 1880 train website, and view any other information about our next up coming seasonal events. Also, you can enter this Blog from our official website.

Enjoy!
Joe Belczak (Shop Crew and Staff Black Hills Central Railway)

Engine #110

-All new boiler sheets are in position on fire man's side, and are currently be welded in place. Over 100 holes were drilled in side sheets to accommodate stay bolts and rivet holes along the mud ring. Holes will next be threaded for stay bolts, and rivet holes will be bored out to ensure proper rivet fit.

-Boiler side sheets on engineer's side require a few more flexible stay bolts, and flattening of all rigid staybolt heads. The next step will be to make sure all weep holes on rigid staybolts are free of any debris, and install caps on the flexible stay bolts. After a complete final inspection all parts will be reinstalled to boilers sides, and boiler will be ready for its yearly hydro test.

-All piston valves have new rings, and are installed in the newly bored valve cages. Crosshead guides were put into place last week, and all the valves await new packing. Valve gear will be ready to be connected in the weeks ahead.

Engine #104

-Though a lot of time is being spent on #110, the shop crew managed to rebuild rear pony leaf springs and repair the worn out spots in the rear suspension rigging. Last week entire rear suspension was reassembled, and concludes #104's suspension repairs.


Passenger Car Mystic

-Last week completed the final touches on Mystic's new brake system. After a successful air test, the passenger car was pulled out of the shop with a clean bill of health, and resides now in the yard awaiting the start of the 2009 summer season.

New Car #65

-Work on the new car is in full speed, and much was completed in the past weeks.

-Frame was sand blasted and repaired where necessary. Within the next week, entire frame will be finished, and wooden beams installed.

-#65's trucks were moved into roundhouse last week. In the weeks ahead, trucks will be disassembled and inspected. Much work needs to be done to trucks, but once complete trucks will be installed under frame and all brake rigging attached.

YouTube Contest Winner

In 2008, the Train held a YouTube contest for videos of the ride between Hill City and Keystone. We had five great entries, but in the end, gothpapa was the winner.

The grand prize was valued at $1,000.00 and included:
+ A three night stay for two at the Golden Spike in Hill City, SD
+ 1880 Train tickets
+ Admission to Bear Country
+ Admission to Reptile Gardens
+ Rushmore Cave tickets
+ Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
+ Admission to Crazy Horse
+ Enterance to Custer State Park
+ The Trial of Jack McCall
+ Mammoth Site
+ Lunch at the Alpine Inn

Check out his video!

Field Trip!

Last Friday, we took an outing to hit the slopes at Terry Peak. It was a beautiful day for skiing, we had sunshine, warm weather, and the slopes weren't too busy. Three of the guys from the Roundhouse went, as well as the three of us from up in the office.

A few of us brushed up on the basics in a ski lesson and by noon, we were all ready for a short break in the lodge. We stayed until the mountain closed (4:00) and we're all ready to go back for some more! Hopefully the snow sticks around a little longer, if this warm weather keeps up it'll be Spring in no time!