East Broad Top Pictorial 2005

FEBT Rockhill Restoration, April 23-24, 2005

This was an FEBT Rockhill Restoration work weekend.

Coal Bin Timbers [2005apr23,coaltimber1] 600x406 (48k) - 1200x811 (139k)
Unloading new timbers to be used in reconstructing the coal bin.

Flatcar Timbers [2005apr23,flattimber1] 600x407 (46k) - 1200x813 (125k)
Unloading timbers for redecking flat car. This was much less strenuous.

Flatcar Timbers [2005apr23,flattimber2] 323x480 (33k) - 606x900 (95k)
It's surprising a truck this size made it around the roundhouse.

Hopper 802 [2005apr23,hopper1] 600x410 (41k) - 1200x819 (108k)
Preparing to install a new reinforcement plate for the slope support. This is simpler and easier than replacing the whole support sheet, retains more original fabric, and is invisible

Hopper 802 [2005apr23,hopper2] 600x407 (43k) - 1200x814 (130k)
The slope support sheet reinforcement in place.

Hopper 802 [2005apr23,hopper3] 600x409 (43k) - 1200x818 (124k)
The brake system gets an overhaul while it's easily accessible with the slope sheets off. Here the brake cylinder is inspected and reassembled.

Hopper 802 [2005apr23,hopper4] 600x407 (55k) - 1200x813 (145k)
The brake cylinder's piston is ready for reinstallation. The hopper crew erected this snazzy tent over the car to keep out the rain, and it doubles to keep out the sun.

Machine Shop [2005apr23,shop1] 600x407 (36k) - 1200x813 (104k)
This volunteer has a tent too, a personal-sized one. The rain is no problem when it's time to powerwash the siding.

Machine Shop [2005apr23,shop2] 600x403 (42k) - 1200x806 (119k)
A little further along in the power washing. This wall is being worked on prior to the start of the railroad's operating season in order to be able to foul the tracks with the scaffolding.

Flat 119 [2005apr23,flat1] 600x405 (63k) - 1200x815 (156k)
Using an original flatcar stringer to make a copy.

Flat 119 [2005apr23,flat2] 600x404 (62k) - 1200x807 (185k)
More flatcar stringer work.

Flat 119 [2005apr23,flat3] 600x407 (57k) - 1200x813 (153k)
Installing the new stringers in the flatcar.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin1] 600x410 (50k) - 1200x819 (136k)
A last view of the coal bin. Except for one wall, the coal, water, bad roof, and years of weather have pushed it too far to save. It will be reconstructed. The overhead bridge to the foundry will be saved, and has already been supported with a temporary bent.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin2] 323x480 (45k) - 606x900 (117k)
Inside the coal bin, looking at the northwest corner.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin3] 323x480 (46k) - 606x900 (114k)
Inside the coal bin, looking at the northeast corner.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin4] 324x480 (53k) - 608x900 (151k)
Inside the coal bin, west wall. This wall will be saved and repaired. Note the two posts which hold the roof and the no longer, rarely-photographed and little known cupola. One post is withered to a square inch, the other just stops.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin5] 325x480 (36k) - 609x900 (86k)
Inside the coal bin, north wall (adjacent to the ground-level exterior passthrough). The angle and wide lens exaggerate it a bit, but the wall has kicked out, and all the posts are floating.

Coal Bin [2005apr23,bin6] 600x410 (54k) - 1200x819 (143k)
Inside the coal bin, northeast corner where the bridge to the founry connects.

page by Bill Adams