Re: Before picture

John West Wrote:
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> Great to see this kind of stuff done. Here is a
> "before" pic. When they they are done it will
> probably look almost exactly the same, but be good
> for another 100 years of operation. By the way,
> thanks for the discussion of spark plugs, that was
> interesting.
>
> JBWX

John, thanks.

Cole's donation of the mighty 4 cylinder gas powered compressor was a godsend. It was the defining factor in repairing the Jordan Spreader to full function (-actual- full function, not "demonstration" function, so the railroad can actively use it for ditching), and will help the Friends return the sand house to full use, which will be a big hit with the engine crews, that were hoisting 50 pound bags of sand up to the domes daily in all weather conditions.

Without it, we would have needed an engine, and crew, on standby, on the mainline, all day, not a likely happenstance. The sand tower is (and is supposed to be) powered by locomotive air. There is, or was, a shop air line, run from the engine house, but it's condition is unknown, and it is poorly buried (frost line issues).

We also special ordered rubber lined pipe (big jing) that had something to do with the petroleum industry, so that the sand wouldn't wear the inside of the pipe as it was being blown up to the hopper.

I'll try to get a picture of the compressor in action tomorrow, with the sand house theoretically working.