Oil tank truss mounts

The crew of the El Dorado Western Railway continues to complete several small projects on the Diamond and Caldor No. 4 locomotive. Except for a major boiler rebuild, work on the locomotive is nearing completion.

Keith Berry and Marcus, a new volunteer, have been drilling holes in the water tank to mount the braces that hold it to the locomotive deck.

During the past two weeks, Keith and Marcus have drill the holes for two mounds on the rear deck. They still have to drill the holes for the forward mounts. The next step after they drill the holes will be to rivet the water tank to the four braces.

The team has also drilled two pair of holes for the oil tank mount. They were able to complete the task working over two days (a Wednesday and Saturday).

These braces hold the oil tank restraining rod in place. They help to secure the oil tank in place so that it won't shift during movement.

Since the process calls for precision drilling, Keith and Marcus mount the electromagnetic drill press to the side of the water tank.

Once the drill press was hoisted in place with block and tackle, Marcus switched on the magnet. Sam Thompson (not pictured here) then centered the drill bit with Marcus' assistance.

It won't be necessary to rivet the oil tank braces to water tank as these braces are aren't located inside the water tank.

Mounting the Oil Tank, Part 2

The oil tank has been mounted on the water tank for the first time in 13 years. The crew lifted the oil tank on Saturday, June 2, 2007 with the assistance of one of our heavy surplus forklifts. After a slow start while Doug and Garrett installed the siphoning elbow, Eric (driving forklift), Doug, Garrett, Keith, Dale, Sam and Bill were able to place the oil tank in place for the county fair.

Come see the locomotive at the El Dorado County Fair this weekend. The fair runs today through Sunday. The fair website has hours and a schedule of events. The museum is located at 104 Placerville Drive, adjacent to fairground’s Green Gate. The fair admission fee is good for the museum and engine house.

Logan's mother grabs a quick pose. Logan and his family were leaving for Disneyland right after the photograph. He had to see the locomotive before leaving for Southern California.

Eric, driving the forklift, starts the approach toward the locomotive with the oil tank.

Garrett guides Eric as he stets the oil tank on the jack stands. Initially, the oil tank rested on the jack stands so the crew could rig straps to make the final lift.

Doug worked the cab end of the oil tank. The cab, which was built to original Lima specifications, leaves little room to lower the oil tank in place. This view shows the cribbing that supports the oil tank. Keith, Eric and I measured and cut the cribbing Memorial Day weekend.

Doug and Garrett (behind forklift tower) rig the straps. The crew will then lower the oil tank into its final position.

Garrett and Keith get ready to remove the jack stands once Eric lifts the oil tank a few inches with the forklift.

This view gives you an idea of the tight quarters in the cab once the oil tank is installed.

Pulling the Shay Out of the Engine House

The first job this morning was to move the oil tank. It's been sitting on the tail track for over two years. Eric Stohl moves the oil tank with the forklift.

We use the block and tackle to pull the engine out of the barn. The lead is connected to a pick up truck. In the photo, Logan removes the river rock from along the track.

Doug Youngberg and Garrett Augustus connect the line to the locomotive.

Keith Berry pulls the locomotive out of the engine house with his pick up.

The crew only pulled the engine out half way. During the El Dorado County Fair, we plan to pull the Diamond and Caldor No. 4 Shay geared locomotive completely out of the engine house on the morning of Saturday, June 16, 2007.

Dip Stick Detail

Here's a better shot of the dip stick handle and locking eye. Next week I'll take a picture of the whole didp stick and post it.

Oil Tank Filler Lid & County Fair

We plan on setting the oil tank on top of the water tank for the El Dorado County Fair next month. Doug Youngberg will be back from his new home in Oregon on June 2 to help the team lift the tank.

The plan during the county fair (June 14-17, 2007) is to move the Shay onto the tail track on Saturday, June 16. We will install the back-up light, water tank ladder, air compressor and dynamo onto the locomotive for display. When you walk into the museum from the fairgrounds, a beam of light will attract you back to the engine house.

Stop by and meet the crew. We'll be ready to answer any questions and encourage you to join the railway's effort to restore the Diamond & Caldor No. 4.

Dale Mace fabricated a new dip stick for the oil tank. Like many parts on the No. 4, the dip stick was missing when the project started in 1993.

The chain will be used to lock the dip stick in place after each day's run. Since a part like the dip stick is easily pilfered, makes sense to lock it in place at night. This saves us the effort it takes to fabricate a new piece when the first is stolen.

Keith Berry purchased this wire cloth basket from McMaster-Carr last month. He bought the model with dual grip handles. Since he was only able to buy a basket with 15-inch inside diameter, he had the basket reduced by about 3/8-inch by a professional welder.

Although we're certain Dale could've done the project, Keith wanted to keep Dale focused on fabrication of the oil tank lid. The welder also had special knowledge working with stainless steel.

It took Dale approximately four Saturday to fabricate the lid for the oil fill port. As with the dip stick, we will be able to lock the oil tank lid in the evening. I doubt the original lid had a locking device as the Diamond & Caldor never had to worry about pilferage or sabotage. It's a true concern for us in today world, however.

One Project at a Time

We rarely accomplish spectacular gains at the engine house. We tend to measure a successful weekend by the number of small projects the crew was able to finish. We've learned over the years that the Diamond & Caldor No. 4 is being assembled one piece at a time.

Progress is marked one tie at a time. Until we complete renovation of the Four-spot, we'll have to settle for small, measurable accomplishments. Visually, you don't see much progress from week to week unless you're intimate with the project.

FABRICATING THE OIL TANK LID

We like to see sparks in the engine house! That means someone is working. On a typical Saturday six or seven volunteers gather at the engine house to work on three major projects, which include the Shay, the flatcar and Arnold.

Dale Mace is cleaning the weld on the dip stick for the oil tank. Since Dale joined the project in January 2006, he's become one of the most valuable team members. His skill as a welder and metal fabricator is in much demand during this phase of the restoration of the locomotive.

Jacob Karoly watches Dale install the locking clasp to the new lid for the oil tank. Jacob has been asking me if he can learn to weld. My first response was, "In time ..."

Then on Saturday, Jacob and Dale hit it off. Dale had a helper and Jacob will be able to learn a thing or two about working with metals in the coming months.

Put a Lid on It

Doug Youngberg (left) and Keith Berry consult over the remaining details in the design and construction of a replacement oil tank lid for the Diamond & Caldor No. 4 Shay.

Doug made the long trip down from his new home in Oregon to consult with Keith on several key projects. Despite his distance from Placerville, Doug remains active with the El Dorado Western. He plans to work on projects in his new shop for the locomotive once it's set up. Doug serves on the board of directors.

Saturday Work Day

Yesterday was a normal work day at the engine house of the El Dorado Western Railway, located at the El Dorado County Historical Museum, 104 Placerville Drive, Placerville, California. Six volunteers gathered around 8 a.m. to work on the Shay and other projects.

Here's an idea of what we worked on:

Keith Berry, Eric Stohl and Dale Mace discuss the hinge arrangement for the lid to the oil tanks. I took the photo from the deck of the Shay where I was helping Sam at the time.

Dale and Eric heat a strap for the Diamond & Caldor Railbus No. 10. Last week Dale cut four such straps. The straps will be used to hold steps on the front bumper to the railbus.

Everything worked well until we realized that the extra tank of gas was empty. Work stopped on this project since the local welding supply store is closed on the weekend.

Sam Thompson adjusts the valve shaper on the no. 2 engine. The reddish hue on the engines and manifold is not rust. The color is off on these pictures. (I used the automatic white balance setting for these photos.)

Bill Rodgers assisted Sam until he left for work late in the morning.

I spent an hour assisting Sam from inside the cab. Since I couldn't take pictures of myself, here's one of the backhead.

Oil Tank Painted

Board member Ed Cuhna stopped by the engine house Sunday morning and painted the Shay's oil tanks a nice coach black. Keith has plans to set the oil tanks on its rightful spot -- on top of the water tank -- this Saturday.

Keith sands rusted spots on the Shay's oil tank while Ken watches in the background.

Scott sprays primer on the oil tank. The paint dried quickly in the hot afternoon sun.

Ed (left) and Keith discuss the viability of using El Dorado vs. Shingle Springs depot sites as the Western terminus of the El Dorado Western Railway.

Clean Up Day & The El Dorado County Fair

Today was spend cleaning up for the El Dorado County Fair, which will be held June 15-18, 2006, at the fairgrounds on Placerville Drive in Placerville. Eric, Keith, Bill and I the engine house tidied up while Sam and Dave worked in the machine shop. Ken and Scott sanded and primed rusted spots on the Shay's oil tank.

Like any operation, junk accumulates everywhere. The Shay's running boards have become a convenient stowage location for nails, safety goggles engine parts.

The engine house will be opened from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day of the county fair in two weeks. And Saturday, June 17, is a regular work day. The Plymouth locomotive crew plans to pull remaining two the journal bearings off of the read wheel set. The machine shop crew will be working as will our welder and metal frabricator.

The fireman's side of the engine was so cluttered that we couldn't pass through. We now have a safety corridor around the engine's "backside."

The El Dorado Western Railway Foundation will be conducting a membership drive during the county fair. Annual membership cost is $35. The railway needs support from the community to continue restoration of the Diamond & Caldor Shay No. 4 and build the El Dorado County Logging and Railroad Museum.

Steve occasionally sets his camera down and helps.