Summary of Work Accomplished during 11/21/2015 Work Session

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

This past Saturday's work session was a productive one, ensuring our cars are ready to carry the crowds we hope to entertain during our annual Winter Events.  The following is a summary of the work accomplished on each vehicle:

San Diego MTS #1019: Both harps were inspected; the trolley shoe and carbon insert at the inbound end was replaced.

STCP #172: The inbound end controller received a thorough servicing and the governor was inspected and serviced.

York Railways Co. #163: The governor was inspected and serviced.  Both controllers received a light servicing.  The compressor was inspected and the electrical end was cleaned.  All journal bearings were checked and topped off as needed.  The side bearings were checked to ensure they were sufficiently greased.

Johnstown Traction Company #355: Both controllers received a light servicing.  The governor was inspected and serviced.  The side bearings where checked to ensure they were sufficiently greased.

Philadelphia Transportation Company #2743: Door #2 was adjusted, tested, and returned to service.  Door #1 was secured against operation and the fuse pulled; this door set remains out of service when the car is operated.

None of this would have been possible without the volunteer service of (in no particular order) Jerry Evans, Fred Walter, Jim Cohen, Budd Blair, George Rich, Bill Monaghan, and your author.  All of these individuals helped until dusk (or later).  Thank you Maintenance Crew!

While not a Car Maintenance Project, the Museum looks FABULOUS thanks to the recent decorating efforts by our dedicated volunteers.  Be sure to see their efforts at:
www.facebook.com/rockhilltrolley

Thank you to all of our volunteers!

Best wishes,
Matt Nawn

Rockhill Trolley Museum Work Session Scheduled for November 21, 2015

Dear Volunteers and Visitors:

My apologies for letting this blog lapse for more than a year.  There has been plenty of car maintenance and associated projects going on at the Rockhill Trolley Museum in the past year; there just hasn't been as much time available to write about them.

With a new year brings new opportunities, and as such my plan is to get this blog going again. 

Anyway, first things first.  There is a Car Maintenance Session scheduled for tomorrow at Rockhill Trolley Museum to ensure our equipment is prepared for heavy use during the annual Winter Events.  Projects planned for tomorrow are as follows:

- Service (change filters, clean, lubricate, inspect) governors in cars 172, 249, 163, 355
- Inspect fluid levels cars 163 and 249
- Lubricate walkover seats car 163
- Inspect compressor brushes Plow 10
- Service inbound controller car 172
- Adjust front doors car 2743

Help is needed and appreciated.  New faces always welcome.

Looking ahead to the Winter and early Spring, the following projects are goals for the offseason:

- Comprehensive inspection and servicing car #402
- Brake inspection and adjustments to car #107 (possible repairs to air system as well)
- Complete door replacement car #6 followed by comprehensive inspection and servicing to return car to service for 2016 operating season
- Investigate heater problem car #205

Finally, one last item of recent note.  While not a car maintenance project per se, Maintenance Department Volunteers led the efforts to retruck former PST/SEPTA Car #23 as well as coordinate and lead the efforts to ship this car from Rockhill Furnace to its new home in Newtown Square, PA and unload it at its new home.  A few photos follow of this work.

Car #23 has just been loaded on the Silk Road trailer.  The broad gauge trucks were loaded first, followed by the carbody which was set on its trucks on the trailer. 

Car #23 departing Rockhill Furnace

 

Car #23 arrives the following morning at the Newtown Square Pennsylvania Railroad Museum

 Unloading in Newtown Square

 

Once unloaded, volunteers and staff tarped the roof for winter protection

 

 

The unloading crew poses for a final photo

 

 

Best wishes,

Matt Nawn

Work Session for November 8 is CANCELLED

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

I am sorry for the relatively late notice, but tomorrow's Maintenance Department Work Session is cancelled.  The parts delivery is being rescheduled for a later date.

However, the scheduled work session for November 15 will proceed as scheduled and help is still needed.

I will be at home this weekend overhauling the pneumatic door engines for JTC #311.

Thank you for your support of Rockhill Trolley Museum.  I hope to see you November 15.

Best wishes,
Matt Nawn

Upcoming Rockhill Trolley Museum Car Maintenance Work Sessions

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

Your help is needed for two upcoming Car Maintenance Work Sessions.  This is an important time of year for Car Maintenance as we are fast approaching the Holiday Events when our cars see their heaviest service of the operating year.

Saturday, November 8:
Focus for this session is reorganizing the spare parts stored in Carbarn 2.  We are long overdue for this work and we will be taking delivery around noon of a donation of several pallets of spare parts.  Many hands make light work!  I will be onsite around 8AM to start the work.

Saturday, November 15:
This is our final maintenance scheduled maintenance session before the Holiday Season begins.  This is our annual governor servicing session for cars 163, 355, 172, and 249, as well as a time to give each car a check of all bearings including the journal and side bearings.  We have kept up on controller and pole maintenance throughout the year but this final push is necessary.  Session will start around 8AM. 

New volunteers are always welcome - please feel free to contact me in advance to discuss further.  Thank you for your volunteer dedication and support.

COMING SOON - A SUMMARY OF THE WORK COMPLETED DURING SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL.

Best wishes,
Matt Nawn

Help Needed - Multiple Dates - Our U2 LRV is arriving and being reassembled

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

Your help is needed to receive, unload, and reassemble our newly acquired former San Diego MTS U2 Light Rail Vehicle #1019. 

Schedule is as follows; with help needed each day:

Arrival of car sections by highway trailer, unloading, and staging: Thursday, June 19. 

Reassembly preparations: Monday, June 23

Crane on site, reassembly of A and B sections into one unit: Tuesday, June 24

Maintenance and basic functionality training Part I: Wednesday, June 25

Maintenance and basic functionality training Part II: Thursday, June 26

Clean up, other maintenance tasks: Friday, June 27

Being these dates are on weekdays, it is especially important we get volunteer support.  We will have outside assistance with the work from June 23-27; but we have to have volunteer support to receive this help.  Our most critical need for help is Wednesday, June 25, but we need help every one of the days listed if we are to successfully reassemble our Light Rail Vehicle.

Please contact me (mwntrolley@aol.com) if you are able to assist, and for which days.

June 23-27 is museum's annual week-long work session, with overhead wire work and brush cutting planned as well.  Help is needed in these areas as well; if able to support this work, please contact Henry Long, Track & Wire Department Head at trackman1978@hotmail.com.

We are only a few steps away from getting this vehicle reassembled and back to operating condition.

Your help can make this happen!

In 1981, San Diego was thrilled with its "New Trolley". 

In 2014, we are thrilled with our "new trolley" too.

 

 

I look forward to working with you soon!  Thank you for your help.

 

Best wishes,

Matt Nawn

Friday, May 16, 2014 Maintenance Department Work Session

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

Rockhill Trolley Museum will have a Maintenance Department work session this Friday, May 16.  This session is to ensure our cars are ready for Members' Day and the start of the regular operating season.  I will be onsite by 9AM.

Prioritized projects for Friday are as follows:
- JTC #355: Grease side bearings and service controllers
- PSCT #6: complete repairs to door circuits
- P&W #402: reinstall coupler knuckles and lubricate couplers, including release mechanism (we are scheduled to tow the caboose with this car on Saturday)
- Liberty Liner Independence Hall: clean and lubricate controllers
- Carbon inserts: check/service all cars

New volunteers always welcome.

Thank you to all who keep the museum functioning.

Sincerely,
Matt Nawn

Electroliner/Liberty Liner - Next Work Session is Saturday, February 8; Report of February 4 Work Session

Dear Volunteers, Friends, and Visitors:

Rockhill Trolley Museum will be having another work session focused on the Electroliner/Liberty Liner #803-804 "Independence Hall" this coming Saturday, February 8.  New volunteers and additional help are always welcome.

Tasks for Saturday are as follows:

- Crimp on new terminal and re-connect ground wire from condenser to carbody under car #804A1

 

- Crimp new terminals on battery box leads and install batteries

 

- Inspect MG set and ensure brushes are free; clean brushholders as necessary

 

- Inspect outbound (#804) end motors; clean brushholders as necessary

 

- Inspect two functioning compressors; clean brushholders/communtators as necessary; check oil levels

 

- Grease brake slides on each truck

 

- Testing

 

Budd Blair and Matt Nawn participated in the work session this past Tuesday, along with some help from Nicholas Brightbill after he got home from school.  The wiring to the new resistor grids under car #804A1 is completed.  See below.

 

 

Finally, a correction is in order.  The report of the January 25 work session neglected to mention that Lance Myers and Nevin Byers assisted with the towing of NJT #10 (and perhaps most importantly, got the sometimes balky M-25 diesel to start).  My apologies for the omission!

 

I hope to see you at Rockhill Furnace this Saturday.

 

Best wishes,

Matt Nawn

 

 

Upcoming Work Session CHANGE from Monday, February 3 to Tuesday, February 4; Plus report of recent sessions

Dear Volunteers, Friends, and Visitors:

First and foremost, the weekday Rockhill Trolley Museum work session scheduled for Monday, February 3 (tomorrow) has been moved to Tuesday, February 4 due to your author's work schedule changing at the last moment as well as the forecasted snow tomorrow in Rockhill Furnace.

So, if you were planning to help tomorrow, I hope you can still join us on Tuesday.  I plan to be onsite by 8AM. 

Our planned work for Tuesday has only one focus - continue preparations for making Electroliner/Liberty Liner #803-804 operable again.  Specific tasks are as follows (in order):

- Complete wire replacement to new resistor grids at 804A1 (outbound) end.  We have 10 wires left to splice and land at their new terminals. 

- Inspect and replace battery terminals for MG set #3

- Inspect Motor-Generator set #3

We are making steady progress on this much beloved train.  Tell the boss you need a day off and come join me this Tuesday.  Thanks to everyone who has helped with this project; the recent contributions have come from a diverse group of volunteers.  It will be a big morale boost to return this historic train to operable condition. 

Report of Recent Maintenance Department Work Sessions

• Saturday, January 25

Despite the bitter cold and forecast calling for snow, several volunteers donated their time to support two important projects:

 

Joel Salomon led a "search party" consisting of Charlie Wootton, Keith Bray, Budd Blair, and Fred Wagner to find a set of lifting lugs used in 1994 to lift PCC #2743 with a crane.  Unfortunately, said lugs have apparently been long since discarded, as the search turned up empty.  However, Charlie and Keith, with some assistance from Budd, pooled their talents to make a new pair of lifting devices to enable the scheduled crane lift of former NJT PCC Car #10 to proceed as scheduled for Monday.  Their efforts and talents literally would save the day with multiple activities scheduled for this car on Monday.  Late in the afternoon, Joel and Charlie braved the snow and hostled #10 to the Carbarn #2 loading/unloading area so all would be ready for Monday.

 

While the PCC lifting lugs project was moving, Matt Nawn led the team of Jim Cohen and Fred Wagner with re-wiring of the 804A1 end resistor grids for "the Liner".  Progress started well at first but then went a little slower than planned when it was discovered that 4 wires which had been previously spliced in either Highwood, IL or Upper Darby, PA were terribly deteriorated and required complete replacement back to the contactor cabinet.  Fred and Jim fed new conductors to Matt who worked under the center of the train at the box itself.  Good progress was made by quitting time but more work remained. 

• Monday, January 27

The day dawned warmer than most but a snow storm rolled in by 9AM.  Undeterred, Matt and Charlie got staged at Carbarn #2 to do the planned truck swap with NJT #10.  The ex-Boston shop trucks supplied by UTCRAS arrived very early in the morning and the 40 ton crane from Saylor's in Altoona arrived exactly on time at 9:30AM.  Careful preplanning paid off, as all lifts and the retrucking itself was completed by 12:30PM.  The lifting lugs fabricated by Keith and Charlie on Saturday worked perfectly and fit properly in the museum's car stands while the trucks were being loaded/unloaded from the flatbed.  NJT #10 now sits on ex-Boston shop trucks and the motor trucks from under the car are with UTCRAS for overhaul.  Departure of this car from Rockhill Furnace for its new owner in San Diego will happen soon.

 

After lunch, Matt was able to spend a few more hours working on "the Liner".  By the end of the day resistor grid bank #3 was completed and hopefully the worst part of the rewiring effort is over as the remaining wires do not appear to be as badly deteriorated as the first group. 

 

Photos from Monday's Work Session

 



Getting ready for the first lift.  We hope this picture doesn't ruin Charlie's reputation.

 

NJT #10 rests on car stands before the front shop truck is pushed into place. 

 

Storm over, crane on its way home, retrucking completed , NJT #10 basks in the afternoon sun.

 

New wires landed at Liner resistor grid box #3.

 

Thanks to all of our volunteers and friends who make this possible!

 





Upcoming Work Sessions on Electroliner/Liberty Liner 803-804, NJT #10, and Recent Work Report

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

There will be several upcoming work sessions focused on Electroliner/Liberty Liner #803-804 and other projects.  Schedule of upcoming work sessions is as follows:

• Saturday, January 25:
• Electrical work on replacement resistor grids under outbound (804A1 end) of Liner
• Prepare NJT #10 for truck swap (to include jacking of car if necessary)
• Complete repairs to Backup Controller in NJT #10
• Continued interior work on Liner (loose paint removal is completed; general cleanup and removal of some items to storage)

• Monday, January 27
• Swap trucks under NJT #10

• Monday, February 3
• Finish electrical work on Liner.
• Pre-test maintenance work

• Saturday, February 8
• Finish pre-test maintenance work
• Test-run train(?)

Here are the tasks remaining on NJT #10:
- Truck swap
- Complete backup controller repairs
- Remove trolley pole and pole base loaned and installed by RTY for testing purposes
- Prepare car for shipment

Here are the tasks remaining on the Liner before it can return to service:
- Complete repairs to wiring for new resistor grids
- Make new battery terminals, install 3 new 12V batteries
- Inspect MG, clean commutator and brushholders as required
- Inspect outbound motors (under 804A1 and 804C sections); clean brushholders as required
- Check oil level in compressors under center of train and inbound end (803A section)
- Grease brake slides (next to brake pistons on each truck)
- Lubricate roller bearings on axles
- Remove loose stored items from interior (doors, etc).

Our recent membership survey and general membership meeting identified a need to help potential volunteers identify tasks that they can assist with (vice the "just show up and we'll find you something to do" approach).  To support our new approach, here are some specific areas where help is needed:

- electrical helper (cut and crimp wires, wrap insulation, carry tools, inspect commutators and brushes)
- maintenance helper (check oil levels, grease moving parts, etc.)
- general laborer (help carry car jacks and tools for NJT #10, assist with pole removal, help carry items out of Liner that don't belong there)
- car cleaner

Special skills aren't needed - we'll team you up with someone and help train you!

Finally, the upcoming work on the Liner would not be possible had it not been for a dedicated crew last weekend that braved the cold and snow to finish the mounting of the new resistor grids under the outbound (804A1end) - a major accomplishment.

Henry Long led the efforts last weekend.  He was assisted by Lance Myers, Nevin Byers, Tyler McGaw, Nicholas Brightbill, and Stephen Lane. 

To conclude, it is appropriate to post some photos from the RTY Collection of the Liner being worked on...50 years ago.

This scene was recreated by our volunteers 50 years later.

An Electroliner/Liberty Liner with a Bullet Car - could only be at 72nd Street Shops or the Rockhill Trolley Museum

Inside the motor shop area at 72nd street

A Liberty Liner with Plow #10.  Fifty years later both reside at the Rockhill Trolley Museum

 

 

My thanks and compliments to our donors, friends, and especially our volunteers whose tireless efforts make everything we do possible!

 







An Electroliner/Liberty Liner Comes Back To Life One Step at a Time

Dear Volunteers, Friends, and Visitors:

I am pleased to report that Rockhill Trolley Museum continues to make progress on getting the Electroliner/Liberty Liner 803-804 closer to operating status again.  A crew of volunteers displayed a high level of commitment and volunteer dedication by braving the winter cold last Saturday, January 4, to move this project (and others) forward. 

While the train is kept indoors, the building is not heated.  But work continued and considerable progress was made.

Sufficient help was available to enable work to continue both on the replacement of the resistor grids at the 804A1 end of the train (outbound on the museum's demonstration railway) as well as a general interior cleanup to make the train more pleasant to riders. 

Underneath, Nicholas Brightbill, Budd Blair, Stephen Lane, and Matt Nawn devised a method to raise the new grids into position under the train so that new mounting holes could be marked and drilled.  After a few layouts were proposed, it was found that the grids could be hung using the existing framework, which saves considerable hours that would have been needed if new framework was constructed.  The previous arrangement used 4 grid banks; the new arrangement uses three (with elements sized accordingly to provided the same levels of electrical resistance). 

Thus, by lunchtime (12:02PM to be exact), the first of the three new grid boxes was mounted in place.  By the end of the work session, the second set was laid out and all holes drilled making it ready for installation at the next session. 

The first of the new grid boxes are mounted.

 

The work underneath the train was by no means all that got accomplished, however.  Since last fall, Fred Wagner (who traveled from Rochester, NY to volunteer at this work session) has been patiently and methodically cleaning the train of all of all loose paint chips starting at the cab in the 803A (inbound) end of the train.  He continued his work this past Saturday, with Lisa Maloy assisting him as they completed the A section and worked through the B (tavern lounge) section as well.  This is dirty and tedious work but the results are impressive.  

 

Fred's dedication has a personal connection.  In his youth, he saw the trains on the day of their return to operation by the Red Arrow Lines.  Many other volunteers have a personal connection to these trains as well, myself included.  My father rode the train on the North Shore and my brother rode them in Upper Darby as we grew up a few blocks from the 72nd Street Shops where they were maintained.  There are many other volunteers with similar connections, and others who do not but simply have the dedication and desire to see it operate again.  Together, teamwork gets the mission accomplished.

 

Frank Shoop took a break from facilities projects to check on the work crew during the afternoon and offered some helpful suggestions with the difficult mounting of the second grid set. 

 

Much work remains but the train continues to get closer to operating status once again.  It will be 50 years since the Red Arrow Lines put the trains into operation on January 26.  The train will likely not be ready for operation by then, however, it might not be long after that when the world can once again ride an operating Electroliner/Liberty Liner at special events and on special occasions.  We're optimistic we can make this happen soon, barring any new unforeseen issues.

 

The work crew pauses for a photo.  From left to right: Stephen Lane, Fred Wagner, Nicholas Brightbill, Matt Nawn, Lisa Maloy, Budd Blair.  Frank Shoop took the photo.

 

More work sessions are planned for the next month; including at least a few weekday sessions.  Announcements will be posted here as well as via the RTY Maintenance Volunteer email list.

 

In the foreground is a "Strafford" car, #402, and a Liner; all types vehicles preserved and brought back to life by the volunteers of the Rockhill Trolley Museum.

 

Thank you to all volunteers, supporters, friends, and visitors who make things like this possible!

 

- Matt Nawn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



2013 Maintenance Department End of Year Wrap Up

Dear Volunteers, Friends and Visitors:

Thanks again to the dedicated help of our volunteers, Rockhill Trolley Museum Maintenance Department ended 2013 successfully.  Here is a summary of work accomplished from mid-October through December:

October 19, 2013 Work Session

Matt Nawn and Joel Salomon completed removal of the old resistor grids from under the 804A1 end of Liberty Liner Independence Hall.

 

November 16, 2013 Work Session

 

Volunteers Budd Blair, Fred Wagner, Nicholas Brightbill, Rick Hoffmeister, Joel Salomon, and Matt Nawn worked through the day (and into the evening) ensuring our cars were well prepared for the winter Operations events.  A summary of work completed is as follows:

 

• Serviced both controllers on JTC #355
• Serviced "deadman" foot pedals on JTC #355
• Serviced inbound brake value on JTC #355
• Inspected/topped off bearing oil levels on JTC #355
• Serviced governors cars 355, 163, 1875, 172, and 249
• Installed fuses and turned on heat in P&W #205
• Tested feel of brake valves car 1875; no lubrication needed at this time
• Inspected/topped off bearing oil levels on York #163
• Inspected shoes/carbon inserts cars 355, 163, 1875, 172, 249, 205

Thanks to everyone who helped get so much done this day!

 

It takes hard work to keep York #163 running in 2013, just like it did in the 1930s

 

December 7, 2013 Work Session

Afternoon patronage at the museum's annual Santa Trolley Event slowed down enough to enable several volunteers to be relieved of Operations duties and work on other projects.  Thus, Budd Blair, Joel Salomon, George Rich, and Matt Nawn went to work on the following projects:

 



• NJ Transit #10 was made ready for truck removal and eventual shipment to its new owner.  Crews hostled equipment in between revenue cars to get #10 over the pit, disconnect all motor leads, actuator wiring, and track brake wiring, along with the kingpin covers, so it can be lifted off its trucks in 2014. 
• All brake linkages on STCP #249 were lubricated and exercised after sluggish brake shoe release was reported and observed
• A frozen air system on STCP #172 was dealt with

 

Once again, thanks to the volunteers who make all this possible!

 

Work completed for the day, NJT #10 sits under the lights on December 7, 2013

 

 

 



 



Pre-Winter Car Maintenance Day - November 16, 2013

Dear Volunteers, Friends, and Interested Parties:

As a reminder, the annual Pre-Winter Car Maintenance Day is tomorrow, November 16.  The weather looks excellent for mid-November!

This is a very important annual work session as this is our final opportunity to ensure our cars are ready for heavy operation in cold weather during the Polar Bear Express and Santa's Trolley events.  Thankfully, we have kept up with maintenance throughout the year due to our dedicated volunteers, but this last "push" is very important.

All skill sets are welcome and useful; especially new volunteers (or volunteers new to electric trolley car maintenance).

Priorities for tomorrow are as follows:

1. Service both controllers on JTC #355
2. Service "deadman" foot pedals on JTC #355
3. Service inbound brake value on JTC #355
4. Inspect bearing oil levels and add 1 pack of gear tack to each gearbox on JTC #355
5. Service governors cars 355, 163, 1875, 172, and 249
6. Service heater knife switches in cars 355 and 163
7. Install fuses and turn on heat in P&W #205
8. Lubricate brake valve bodies car 163
9. Test feel of brake valves car 1875, lubricate as needed
10. Check oil levels cars 163, 172, 249
11. Inspect shoes all cars

While this is a long list, we typically are able to get this much work done during this event.

Your help is appreciated!

- Matt Nawn

Upcoming October-November Maintenance Department Work Sessions (All skills levels needed)

Rockhill Trolley Museum Maintenance Department is scheduling work sessions for the following dates for the following projects:

Saturday, October 19

 

With most of the regular service fleet in operation this date for the annual Pumpkin Patch Trolley, the following is planned for equipment that will not be in operation on this date:

 

- SEPTA PCC #2743:  Troubleshooting and repairs to the low voltage charging system.  

 

- Liberty Liner Independence Hall: Removal of existing resistor grids and start layout of new grids under A1 section

 

All skills levels are welcome and needed.  Along with the electrical work, further interior work is planned on #2743 and the Liner could really use a good vacuuming from end to end, especially the operator's cabs.  While not glamorous tasks, these are important and make conditions for our visitors and our work and operating crews a little more tolerable.

 

 

Saturday, October 26

Saturday, November 16

 

Tasks for these dates are as follows:

 

- Winterization of the operating fleet, to include governor servicing, and turn on of car heat

- Controller work and lubrication of inbound brake valve on JTC #355

- Further electrical work on Liberty Liner Independence Hall.

 

The Liner work will likely take place on October 26 and the winterization work on November 16.  Work on JTC #355 will take place depending upon the car's availability (October 26 is still a regular operating date).

 

I look forward to seeing you in Rockhill Furnace!

 

- Matt Nawn

 



 





The Liberty Liner and Summary of Work Session from weekend of October 11-13

 

This past weekend, October 11-13, was a very busy one at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.  Besides the variety of trolleys running for the annual Fall Spectacular, much project and maintenance work was completed as well.

Here is a quick summary of the work completed:

Johnstown Traction Company #311:
- Jim Cohen spent Friday and Saturday night with paint removal in some areas, as well as needle scaling the door step areas with Joel Salomon.  Carl Salomon assisted Friday night with the roof cleats.  David Brightbill continues to make steady progress on wood refinishing.  The new floor is about 80% installed thanks to the talents of contractor Keith Bray.

 

It's hard not to be impressed with the quality and comprehensiveness of work being performed on the museum's first trolley car.

 

Frank looks over the new floor as it is installed.

 

Miscellaneous Car Maintenance:



 

 - These are the often out of sight tasks that never end and for which volunteers just don't get enough credit for. Among other projects, Budd Blair and Fred Walter checked the pole tension on Car #163 after the inbound end pole was replaced the previous weekend.  Thanks to Charlie Wootton, Ron Rabena, Courtney Brown, and Nicholas Brightbill for getting the pole replaced the week before.

 

Liberty Liner Independence Hall:

 

- As mentioned in a previous post earlier this year, new resistor grids for the Liberty Liner have been obtained to replace those under the car which are in poor condition and have finally failed, rendering the train inoperable.  On Sunday, Henry Long and Matt Nawn started the process to replace the grids under the A1 (outbound) end of the train.

 

Before going much further, let's explain how the train is configured:

 

(outbound) A1 section - C section - B section - A section (inbound)

 

The C is the all coach center section, B is the bar section, and the end coach sections are A1 and A.  Interestingly, the outbound and inbound configuration at the museum is the same when the train was operated on the Red Arrow Lines.

 

The work was done underneath the train on the ground in Carbarn #2.  Each wire was traced, marked according to the schematic, and disconnected from the resistor banks.  By the end of the day, all wires had been disconnected from the A1 end resistors and marked, a concept for mounting the new resistors was developed, and some general assessment work on the train's electrical and air systems was done.  Next step is to remove the resistor banks themselves. 

 

Helping Henry and Matt with this work were Joel Salomon who helped get the Liner in position, Nevin Byers who helped get some lighting set up and Andrew Nawn, who yelled wire numbers from the schematic to his dad so his dad didn't have to constantly crawl out from under the train. 

 

No date has yet been announced for when the train will be operable again.  Watch this column and the museum news messages for further details!

 

The existing grids have been disconnected and are ready for removal.

Andrew Nawn makes a Halloween-like appearance with the uneven lighting in the back of Carbarn #2

 

My thanks and compliments to all volunteers who make these things possible.

 

- Matt Nawn

 

Wrap Up of August 24 Work Session; Next Session is September 7

Dear Volunteers and Friends:

Our last work session on August 24 was a productive one, with both planned and unplanned work making progress.

Of our two time critical projects, the repacking of all 16 axle and motor bearings on the trucks for JTC #311 was completed.  This enables the car to be retrucked at the next work session on Saturday, September 7. 

More progress was made on NJT #10, but work remains.  Additional work sessions will be scheduled soon as this project needs to reach completion. 

NJT #10 got off to a delayed start thanks to some unplanned work.  The Carbarn #1 sump pump operation was intermittent, and remained so after the pit was mostly pumped out.  Thus, after a "dive" into the pit (actually, it was more like a fishing expedition in filthy water), the pump was removed, partially disassembled, and the malfunctioning float switch cleaned and tested.  A thick plastic bag was also intermittently getting sucked into the discharge pipe.  This was removed as well.  A check valve was added to the discharge line, and after reassembly, the pit dried out and stayed dry in a manner unseen for some time.  Hopefully this will make the conditions in which our volunteers work in a little more inviting.

Retriever rope on the outbound end of car #172 was replaced as well.

Helping with the projects of this day were Budd Blair, Rick Hoffmeister, Jerry Evans, Courtney Brown, and the Nawns (Matt, Matty, Andrew, and Megan).  Nevin Byers and Nicholas Brightbill helped with hostling #10. 

Next Work Session is Saturday, September 7

Our next work session is Saturday, September 7.  Goal for the day is to place JTC #311 on its rebuilt trucks, and possibly remount the air compressor as well.  If interested in helping with this session, please contact Joel Salomon (jdstrolley@ptd.net) as he will be leading this session.

Seems hard to believe it has been more than 5 years since we detrucked the car.

 

When completed, #311 will be greatly improved mechanically, electrically, structurally, and cosmetically.

 

Thank you for your support of Rockhill Trolley Museum!

 

- Matt Nawn



 

Maintenance Department Update - Next Work Session August 24 & Wrap Up of August 17 session

Dear Volunteer:

Rockhill Trolley Maintenance Department is having another work session this coming Saturday, August 24.  Your help is needed with the following projects:

• Continue work on the voltage regulator and low voltage system on former NJ Transit PCC Car #10 (if all goes well, the car may run under its own power since the car was retired August 24, 2001).

• Finish repacking the remaining bearings on the overhauled Brill 77E trucks from Johnstown Traction Company #311

New volunteers are always welcome to join in and learn what we do as Rockhill Trolley Museum's "pit crew".

Last Saturday, August 17, was a very busy and productive day.  Much work was accomplished then and during this past week, including:

• Repairs to the inbound brake valve on STCP #172, returning the car to service

• Continued progress on the voltage regulator repairs to NJT PCC Car #10

• Continued progress on repacking the journal bearings in the JTC #311 trucks

• Controller maintenance (heavy duty) on STCP #249

• Brake valve lubrication on CTC #1875

• Electrical investigation of IT Sweeper #3

Assisting with this work was Budd Blair (multiple days), Jerry Evans, George Rich, Courtney Brown, Bill Monaghan, Fred Walter, and Matt Nawn.

Work on NJT #10 continued into the night last Saturday.

 

 

My thanks to the volunteers and donors who make all this possible!

 

 

Want to help financially with a future project?  Visit the Rockhill Trolley Museum homepage (www.rockhilltrolley.org) to assist with the following:

 

Buy a desk model of PTC #2743 for yourself and help restore the real thing:

http://www.rockhilltrolley.org/node/1460

 

Help bring Rockhill Trolley Museum's first Light Rail Vehicle to the East Coast:

http://www.rockhilltrolley.org/sites/default/files/docs/U2_fundraising.pdf



Maintenance Department Work Session - Saturday, August 17

Dear Volunteer:

Rockhill Trolley Museum Maintenance Department is having a work session this Saturday, August 17.  It will be a busy day with the following projects scheduled:

- Service and repair inbound brake valve on STCP #172

- Continue electrical work on former NJT PCC Car #10

- Finish packing the journal bearings on the Brill 77E trucks for Johnstown Traction Company #311

All of these projects are priorities at present.  The repairs to #172 will enable this car to return to service with Operations Department.  The return to operation of NJT #10 will enable it to leave the museum for its new owner and start the process of delivery of a U2 Light Rail Vehicle to the museum schedule for this fall.

A work session is tentatively schedule for Saturday, August 24, with the sole purpose being the re-trucking of JTC #311.  The journal bearing packing must be completed this weekend if the car is to ride again on its original trucks (which have been completely rebuilt).

I hope you can join me this Saturday in Rockhill Furnace.  Based on commitments to date, we should have a decent shop crew size to make the work easier.  But more help is needed!

I apologize that I have not updated this site in 2 months.  It has been a busy time at the museum with the 50th Anniversary being celebrated July 6, following by the second annual PCC Car Day three weeks later.  Both events went off flawlessly and had a good turnout of members and friends (especially the 50th Anniversary Event).

Work has not stopped, however!  In the past 2 months many tasks have been completed, including the following:

- PSCT #6: readjustment of shaft brakes and installation of new batteries

- JTC #311: start of journal bearing repacking as well as extensive work on the carbody

- STCP #172: replacement of a leaking governor gasket

- JTC #355: controller maintenance

- York #163: controller maintenance

- SEPTA #2743: thorough inspection and servicing

- STCP #249: compressor inspection (electrical side)

- SEPTA #205: compressor inspection (electrical side) and rooftop wiring inspection.

- CTC#1875: brake rigging inspection

- Multiple cars: pole and harp maintenance, including carbon insert and show inspection and replacement as necessary

My thanks to all of the volunteers and specialty contractors who make this possible!

- Matt Nawn

Work Session and Projects for June 15

There will be a Maintenance Department Work Session this coming Saturday, June 15.  Help is needed as two of the museum's most popular cars are current out of service due to failures last weekend.  Work Car day last Saturday is thus followed by a Work Day this Saturday.

The projects are as follows:

York Railways #163

 

This workhorse of the fleet, and an essential member of the cars used for weekday bus trips, is out of service due to continued issues with the inbound controller not picking up power.  Budd Blair and Fred Walker spend considerable time on May 26 trying to resolve the problems, including rewiring the bonnet switch (controller disconnect/breaker), but the problems returned last weekend.  Some brief troubleshooting last Saturday indicates the ratchet switch may not be picking up but more work is needed.  Budd is planning to resume his efforts on Saturday but could really use a second set of eyes and hands to assist him.

 

This is the ratchet switch in question; inbound end of York #163, at the bottom of the K68 controller.

 

CTC Open Car #1875

 

To save wear and tear, this very popular vehicle in our collection has not been out of the barn much this year to date.  It was put into service last Saturday, but only briefly, as the brake shoe on the outbound end, left side, second axle from the front has come loose and slams against the wheel after the brakes are fully released.  Besides the noise, the shoe is at risk for grabbing the wheel, thus requiring the car to be taken out of service to avoid further damage or a possible derailment.  Troubleshooting is needed.  It could be as simple as a loose, broken, or missing pin; but a full diagnosis and repair is needed.  The car could also use a controller servicing, brake valve lubrication, lubrication of all bearings (most bearings in the car are roller and simply need a few pumps of grease), compressor oil check, and inspection of the compressor brushes.  Joel Salomon has offered to assist a willing volunteer with at least the brake shoe troubleshooting.  It would be great to have this car back in service for our 50th Anniversary on July 6!

 

JTC #311

 

As reported on the museum's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rockhilltrolley; you do not need to be a member of Facebook to visit the site and see the photos); steady progress continues to be made on this car by our contractor, Keith, and the museum volunteers who assist him.  Another work session is scheduled for this weekend.  Projects include hot riveting and installation of the new floor.  No special skills are required.

 

Posted below are some scenes of recent progress on #311. 

 

Keith bends new window posts in specially built jig

Removal of the old floor is completed

Both new sides are hung; riveting is still in progress

The first side of the car is really taking shape now

The side bearings have been removed and new hardware will be used to remount them

 











Thank you for your continued support!

Best wishes,
Matt Nawn

Work Session Scheduled for April 27 for JTC #311 and NJT #10

Johnstown Traction Company #311 and former NJ Transit PCC Car #10 are the focus of the next work session scheduled for Saturday, April 27.

Tremendous progress has been made over the past two months with JTC #311, but much more work remains.  Your help and support is essential to keeping this project moving.

Further work is needed to make NJT #10 operable for its owner so it can depart for its new home and be able to operate under its own power when it arrives.

If you plan to attend Saturday, please contact Joel Salomon (jdstrolley@ptd.net) if you would like to help with JTC #311, or Bill Monaghan (rty-1267@comcast.net) if you would like to help with NJT #10.

Thank you for your dedication and support of the Rockhill Trolley Museum!

Public Service Coordinated Transport #6 is an Award Winner (and other PCC related projects).

 

Railways To Yesterday, Inc., operators of the Rockhill Trolley Museum, recently confirmed that Public Service Coordinated Transport PCC Car #6 was the recipient of the TRAIN (Tourist Railroad Association INC) 2012 Electric Traction Award. 

Car #6 is the third vehicle in the museum collection to receive this distinction, the other vehicles being Johnstown Traction Company #355 in 2007 and York Railways #163 a number of years ago.

While the rehabilitation of car #6 was not a complete, ground-up restoration; nor was the car returned to like new condition, what made it unique was the tremendous effort and accelerated timeframe that transformed the vehicle from a deteriorated relic to a great looking and operating car again.  Within 5 weeks of the car's shipment from New Jersey, museum volunteers had made the car reliably operable again.  Three months later, body and paint work both inside and out had been completed in time for the car to be rolled out for a special ceremony commemorating both the return of the car to operation and marking 10 years since the end of PCC service in the Newark City Subway.

Car #6 has its minor flaws, dents, and other signs of many decades of use.  But, we'd like to think it is preserved as an accurate representation of its years of service in New Jersey; not pristine, but well maintained and looking good.  Perhaps the greatest compliment came when an individual who had a long history with the cars in Newark visited the museum, inspected #6, and stated "it's not overdone...it looks just like it did in Newark". 

Once again, my compliments to the all-volunteer PCC Car #6 Restoration Crew and the others who worked behind the scenes to make its preservation possible.

 Car #6 departs Penn Station on 8-16-2001, one week before its retirement.  Photo compliments of Bill Volkmer.

Car #6 picks up a passenger at Park Avenue in 1954.  Photo compliments of Bill Volkmer.

 

 

PCC Work in Progress and Planned on other vehicles

 

Awards are great, but there's no time to rest, there is work to be done!  

New Jersey Transit PCC Car #10

Work continued on this car's charging system on March 15.  Fred Wagner, Nicholas Brightbill, and Matt Nawn spent some time trying to get the voltage regulated properly, but more work remains.  Jerry Evans and George Rich, which assistance from Matt Nawn and Bill Monaghan, did some further work during the 4/6/2013 work session, but issues still remain and the MG set itself may be the source of the problems.  Getting this car operable again will enable its owner to ship it to its new home. 

SEPTA/PTC #2743

Thanks to the recent substantial contributions by the Friends of Philadelphia Trolleys as well as many individual donors, the long planned carbody restoration of this popular vehicle will commence in late spring of this year.  The goal for completion is the Summer 2014 PCC Car Day at the Rockhill Trolley Museum.  Updates will be posted here as the car is transformed back to circa 1959 PTC appearance in the familiar green and cream colors.  The work will be performed by the same contractor crew that restored the carbody of SEPTA #2168 at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum under the experienced supervision of Harry Donahue.

 

This is the color scheme #2743 will wear after its restoration, but we plan to avoid smashing in the doors.  Photo by R. Vible, RTY Collection.