Colorado Springs Satellite Restoration Program

In response to the request for an update on the restoration of Pile Driver OB…
By way of background information. For those unaware, about 4 years ago the Friends established a satellite restoration program in Colorado Springs, CO for the purpose of accelerating our restoration efforts to the historic rolling stock fleet. Based on the large number of members in the Front Range region (over 200) we felt there was sufficient interest and willingness by people to volunteer their services every other Saturday a month. Historic cars from the C&TS RR collection have been transported via flat bed truck to CO, restored/reconstructed to serviceable condition and returned to Chama. I am pleased to report this program has proved itself successful.
The first car restored was flat car #6200 which was completed in Aug. 1998 and returned to the railroad. This car recently and currently is being used to haul materials for the ADA track work upgrade that is in progress. The next car brought to COS was Idler Flat car #06008, which is the idler for Pile Driver OB. This car was completed in Aug. 1999 and was returned to Chama in Jan. 2001.
Pile Diver OB was also in very deteriorated condition and it too was transported to COS at the same time as #06008. The platform car for the pile driver was the next project which is constructed structurally of both wood and steel. All of the wood deck, wood center sills at the 'A' end and both oak end sills have been replaced at this time completing its restoration.
For the last few months, the crew has been documenting the details and construction of the Pile Driver in preparation for its reconstruction and this Saturday plan to start the disassembly. We expect this will be a multiyear project with full intentions of restoring this unique piece of equipment to fully serviceable condition.
Information request: We have been able to determine the basic operation of the pile driver, but there are aspects still unclear. One of the key questions is how was the hammer mast was raised and lowered. We have reviewed the pictures in the Narrow Gauge Pictorial Vol. VII, but no picture clearly illustrates that process. It has been theorized that a large (~8" x 8") timber was positioned between two ties and under the rail and one of the two cables attached. From this configuration, the mast could then be hoisted into position by means of the wench. If anyone has information or photos (Earl?) about the operation of Pile Driver OB it would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Jerry