Re: C&S Railway Society Update

This has been a very interesting discussion about restoration, preservation, rebuilding, operation, non-operational exhibit, etc., etc. When my brother and I were given C&S caboose 1008 we really didn't know what we were getting into. This project has become an incredible adventure that has included travel, social interaction, research, learning wood and metal working skills, photography and more. We have also found that those of us involved in the preservation movement have undertaken the responsibility of saving for future generations part of the industrial history of our nation. Those of us who have visited railroad museums or ridden tourist/heritage railroads should remember why they are still around for us to enjoy (thank you friends of the Cumbres and Toltec, booster clubs, historical societies and volunteers). Speaking for myself, I have found the opportunity to learn (hands-on) about wooden rail car construction and design an experience that has added a unique dimension to my life.
As I mentioned in a previous post different groups, museums and individuals will have different ways of approaching a restoration /presavation project. As we have disassembled our car we have studied the parts, measured and made drawings and photographs of them to develop a record of what we have done. We have been fortunate to have had museum professionals mentoring us through our project and we can see the value of keeping detailed records of what we are doing.
Here is an example of how recording the restoration process leads to interesting discoveries of construction practices from over 100 years ago.
Here is a photo of the new center sills for 1008 with the drag beams attached and one of the intermediate sills. These are as close to exact duplicates of the originals as it was possible for us to make (we had the original to copy). If you look at the photo in the first posting of the new enter sills for the 1009 you will spot a third tenon which is thinner that the two that will connect the end beam. Of course a tenon that thin on a large part such as an end beam would be worthless however, if you look at a photo in latter post showing 1009 with the end beam removed you can see the remains of that small tenon which is not a tenon at all but a seat like a shim which would lift the end beam so it will line up with the top of the frame and still interface with the tenons. Unless the end beam had been removed or unless you have X-Ray vision like Superman, this construction technique would have gone unnoticed. Is it really that big of a deal - YES
Just one suggestion to the 1009 crew - photograph as you go. You guys are doing great work and we wish we had all the original metal like you do.
Richard Farmer