Having completed two projects for the society, (CNJ switchman shanty and CNJ mast signal), I was asked to take on restoration of one of two Franklin mine cars. One is languishing at a local vocational school for the past three years, and the other was stored at a local HVAC yard whose owner is a mining history buff, and has done much for the society in the past. The car is in fairly poor condition, with nearly all the wood sides and ends rotted, along with the wood beam under structure. The steel floor is heavily rusted and rotted, and will have to be replaced as well.
The work space is a storage garage belonging to St Leo's Church in Ashley. At my suggestion, our society CEO approached the pastor, and after conferring with our insurer, we had the car moved to the garage, courtesy of a local mechanic with a roll back truck.
The first work day was devoted to removing the wood sides and ends, which for the most part was fairly simple. I wanted to save as much of the original hardware as possible, so with the assistance of an oxy-acetylene torch, all the existing bolts except for one that snapped were saved. All the bumpers, and the coupling hooks have been removed, as were the carriers for the wheels, which amazingly, still roll as freely a when built. I had a young assistant yesterday who helped with the removal, and our final task for the day was to raise the hopper from the wheels. It is now positioned on 4 metal horses until I can fabricate a suitable stand that will allow a trailer to back under when the hopper is ready for its new home next to the shanty. The two sections when complete, will be married on site.
