More spring snow and "yes", I do windows

The morning started with driving through the " flurries" they called for last eve. Sorry... these may be flurries by definition

but they are a game changer when it comes to welding

I decided to not work on the last section of roof so I would not be outside welding in that all day.

I moved my efforts to one of the four side windows.

Each of the four are an equal mess.

There are three parts to each assembly.

1. the window

2. The inner window mounting frame

3. the outer window mounting frame

There are three areas where water has been entering the car because the sealers have all failed and there were attempts to re-seal them without removing the window and sealing the surface of the seam.

I decided to make it two parts.

1. window

2. mounting frame

Doing this will remove one of the seams that could possibly leak.

I started by removing the entire assembly. I grinned off the rivets and removed the unit.

I removed the window from the frames

There was a lot of cleaning and scraping to do.

I welded the two frames together and sealed them together.

Then I cleaned and polished the window and got it ready to go back in.

then i had to prep the hole.

It needed to be cleaned and primed.

I installed the frame first and that was a blessing.

I was able to work on the bolts from the interior.

I applied a generous amount of roof flange sealer from Liquid Nails.

Then bolted in the frame.

Then...in with the window!

Looks nice and hopefully, water tight for 100 years!

Only three more to go!

(6 hours to do this...uhggggg)

Second Day of Spring , Snow and another section of roof to fix

It was a quiet snowy morning, serene and beautiful. The kind of morning from a Norman Rockwell painting… Until I realized how much snow I would have to remove to get to work!

There was about 4 inches on the surface of the caboose and on the top of the container that I use as a safe standing area.  Did I say safe??

Anyway, he first block of time was spent clearing snow and ice from the work area.

I needed the areas to be relatively dry before I can break out the welding machine. Somehow the thought of setting the welder on top of ice and snow did not feel right, but neither did sitting it in the puddles that the 50 degree temps would create later today…

Anyway… upward and onward!

It really was pretty on the way to the yard. I like the drive, just wish there was less of it.

I started the heater inside the car first. That helped with the ice on the roof.

Once clear I hoped it would dry fast.

The cut away was first, as always, I am amazed by the rust I find. 

Clean, grind and primed

I was a bit disappointed in the work today.

The roof , when cut away, " popped" and there were waves in the old roof line that gave me a fit.

I was able to support from inside but the welds did not look as good as the others.

But... it is done and watertight.

I was also able to get the other handrails done today.

Next... the last section of roof.

Another Roof Edge

I know... I have four of these... Actually, there are 6 ( if you count the top of the copula.)

Each of these corners are very similar but this one is special.

I had to cut out the area for the smoke stack.

So I started the same as all the others; I had to bend some steel. The templet and the dies, that we made so many months ago, are working fine!

After we have the parts ready, its time to get to work.

I took the newly bent steel and dry fit to the roof.

All the rivets have already been cut out and the old rusty steel is next.

This shot shows the fun relating to this piece of roof.

I have to cut out the base of the smoke stack.

This was a mess. Lots of rust.

I cleaned all the rust and primed that area

I also placed the welding blanket inside because of setting things on fire before. I also have learned to wet the interior of the car to help minimize the chance of a fire issue.

This is the new section welded in.

next to do the front section of this side and on to the drilling and bolt up.