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The newest excursion car started
out as a DODX 12 wheel - 100 ton flatcar that the
Museum
acquired from Camp Lejune, NC. These cars where built
to haul tanks and other heavy equipment for the DOD. It was
stored with 2 others at an offsite location for about 10
yrs.
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| The cars
where craned and trucked over to our new
location where they would be re-evaluated
for condition and begin restoration and
transformation into a new passenger
excursion car. Here, you can see the
deck was White Oak lumber that held up in
some places but not in others. |
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| The old oak was
removed, the frame and supports where
cleaned and primed to protect. New
pressure treated lumber was installed.
Here some of our volunteers are busy
installing the new decking. |
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| Here you can
see the installation of the side posts into
some of the stake pockets for supporting the
future side walls. Also, this is great
picture of the 3-axle trucks, they have an
interesting cantilever articulation for good
load distribution over all axles regardless
of the track. |
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| Treated
plywood is installed first to the side
posts, to provide some strength and to
protect passengers by keeping hands and legs
inside the car. |
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| The cement
board is installed on the outside for a
durable weather resistant exterior and the
top railing is nailed down to give a
finished look. |
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| Saftey gates
were fabricated and installed to every
entrance and exit, a fresh coat of paint
covered the cement board, and Christmas
decorations for the car's first revenue run
at NHV on Dec 3 2006. |
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| Some
finishing touches; the car frame is finished
with a fresh coat of black enamel. The car
served through the 2007 and 2008 seasons
without a roof. Beautiful for those
days when the weather was just right, but
could be brutal on those days that were a
bit hot or if inclement weather arrived. |
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After the
2008 season ended, a roof
for the car was started. A group of volunteers
known as the Wednesday crew were given the
task. A bit of tear-down to get to the
car body post pockets and then new framing
to support the roof.
Photo credit:
Robert Middour |
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After
framing, trusses were fabricated to support
the roof.
Photo credit:
Robert Middour |
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Nearing
completion, plywood, trim, and roofing felt
installed.
Photo credit:
Robert Middour |
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| Ready
to roll for May 2009 |
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