3533 in Chama, NM 03/21/2012

[Joe Kanocz]

[Jason Rose]

Number: 3533
New Number: 451
Type: Boxcar
Class: 30-Foot
Category: Freight
Year Built: 1904
Manufacturer: American Car and Foundry
Year Rebuilt: 1926
How Acquired: Per Wilson-Glover, previously owned by Scenic.
Description: Rebuilt to concession car 451 by C&TS in 1980. FOCTS began reconstruction back to boxcar in 2004. [Dispatch 17-4]



1980

Converted to souvenir/snack car no. 451. [Dann2000]


2004

Volunteers began converting the car, formerly concession car 451, back to a boxcar. They stripped most of its siding and appliances. Significant side rot in the side sill where the windows had been cut into the side of the car will require more work than anticipated. It was estimated that it would require three or four more work sessions to finish the tear down and restoration of the car. [Dispatch 17-4]


2005

The hardware was removed during sessions B and C. A major task was the removal of the Murphy roof. The team documented its methods for removal. Upper sills had significant water damage and new sills were fabricated. Lower sills also required replacement due to water damage, primarily resulting from water leakage at the windows that were installed when the boxcar was converted to a concession car. Several panels of the Murphy roof also need to be replaced due to rust.

Session D work included installation of the upper and lower sills along with vertical and angled tie rods on one wall and installation of the lower sill, vertical members, and tie rods on the other wall. The second upper sill was ready to install. Four sidewall vertical posts and four door points were fabricated from scratch. All vertical tie rods were cut and threaded, and angled tie rods were welded together from old rods and threaded.

During sessions E and F new end sills were fabricated and installed. Framing of both walls was completed. As many diagonal truss rod castings as possible were salvaged. New diagonal truss rods were fabricated as needed and truss rod installation was completed. Roof rafters were installed. Wall studs, truss rods, and end rafters were installed on both ends. The belt line was installed around the car using some old pieces and fabrication of new pieces. Installation of the wood roof and exterior end siding was completed. Floor planking and exterior side siding was started.

A new needle beam was fabricated and installed. Brake hangers were installed on the end sills. The mechanical brake and brake pipe were installed. Several repairs were made to the brakes, including a new tee for the conductor’s air gauge, replacement of a bad section of pipe, and a brake hose. The retainer valve was installed and the brakes were tested and deficiencies corrected. Couplers were installed. [Dispatch 18-4, TLR CC12 2005]