The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources is proud to announce that we have purchased West Side Lumber Co. flatcar 222. The car is currently located in Southern Oregon. We plan to move it to Ardenwood farm in Fremont California, the weekend of June 15 & 16th. The car is in very bad condition. So bad that it is unlikely to survive the trip south intact.
This car will be our primary project this summer, with final assembly during a "This Old Flatcar" event during our Labor Day Railfair. During the event, we will build a new frame for this car, over the three day weekend, using traditional tools and techniques. This is an attempt to build a wooden railroad car in real time, instead of "Museum" time. This will be the third time the group has used this program to build or rebuild wooden railroad flatcars. If all goes well the newly rebuilt car will operate for the first time at Ardenwood on Monday September 2nd.
To prepare for the grand event, we will be working this summer to disassemble and document the existing car, and to prepare the iron and steel parts for the restoration. We are actively recruiting new members to participate in this restoration. We have planned Saturday work sessions June 15th (working on other projects since the car will not yet have arrived) July 13, and August 10th. Additionally we will be working Tuesday nights starting June 27th
from about 5:00 to 9:00. In the past we have gone out for pizza or whatever afterward.
We are trying to put together a crew of 4 to 6 people to go to Oregon, to measure and document the car and help load it on the truck. There will be a forklift available, so loading is not expected to be the nasty job it can be.
We will also need a crew available at Ardenwood to unload the car on arrival. (expected to be either Sunday June 16th or Monday June 17th. Again we expect to have a forklift available.
If you are available to help move the car, or are interested in participating in its restoration, For more information on this project, please contact:
Randy Hees
email:
hees@ix.netcom.com
650 347 5055, evenings
510 791 4196, days
More information on the SPCRR is available at
www.spcrr.org
The Society for the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources in a non-profit 501c(3) railroad preservation society collecting, restoring and operating 19th century wooden narrow gauge railroad equipment on its one mile long horse powered railroad.
