Friday, April 2, 2010

1880 Train Shop Updates for April 1, 2010

Happy April! It's almost that time to start another great season of railroading here at the Black Hills Central. The shop crews have had a very productive winter, and look forward to seeing a busy summer. We were able to get quite a few big jobs completed this year, so it will be nice to see all are engines and equipment running this year. Listed below are some of the many tasks completed this winter. Enjoy, and will see you this season.

Joe Belczak (Conductor and Shop Crew, BHC Railroad)

Engine #104

This year, 104 had its cap inspection and some various repairs done to its boiler. A lot of the boiler work required the removal of the saddle tank and cab floor. The saddle tank was reinstalled yesterday, and the locomotive will see a new cab floor this next week. Engine #104 is ready to start the season this year on May 3rd thanks to the hard efforts of the engine crew.

Engine #110
Due to quite a bit of work done last year to 110's boiler side sheets, very little work was done to the actual boiler of the locomotive. Quite a few flue tubes were replaced this year due to water scale build-up. Engine #110's running gear has been thoroughly inspected, and all driver axles have been examined and repaired if needed.

Engine #7
Since Engine #7 sees less mileage than our other engines, less work needed to be accomplished this winter on the locomotive. Engine #7 had a successful hydro test, and awaits its next Doubleheader this season sometime in June.

Car Shop
All work has been completed on car#65, and with many successful winter runs we will see Edward Gillette begin the car roster this season. On your trip to see the 1880 train make double sure to check out this beautiful car inside and out! Various cars in the BHC roster received new wheels this winter as well, including much truck rebuild. Season begins this year with our enclosed car line-up.

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