(erielack) DL&W F3 Volunteer -- we did it!

[MDelvec952 <mdelvec952_@_aol.com>]

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Yes, gang, in another hot, sweaty day in Scranton the black is on and the major painting phase is finished.  The locomotive is beautiful, looking like it's just out of the show room.  F3s really were this shiny once upon a time.

There are so many people to thank, and Tri-State is so grateful to all who had a part, especially the contributors and those who took time out of their lives to come up to Scranton to put in the days and weeks over the past five months. When we needed lots of labor, we got it. When we needed skilled labor, that appeared also. And enough people and groups contributed generously to where money never held us up.  Yes, we were frugal and conservative and got multiple uses when we could. But when we had to spend, we were able.  The cooperation with the National Park Service and Steamtown employees cannot be overstated.  We were expected to set an example for future projects such as this, and we came through in flying Lackawanna Railroad colors.  Among the highlights for me was the tremendous enjoyment of watching this project come together, performing so much of the work combined with getting reacquainted with the Steamtown friends and making new ones.  We overcame so much adversi
 ty and so many difficulties, but the focus always remained on what's best for the locomotive.  Thanks, everyone.  Take a bow.

Now we move to the next phase, which will mostly be accomplished with step ladders and hand tools.  Stay tuned for news about work days, but happily we won't need to work so many consecutive days. Our next major event at Steamtown is Lackawanna Railfest over Labor Day weekend.  Before then we need to have the portholes installed and other little cosmetic items dealt with, more masking glue removed, lots of interior work, make display boards for the public, etc.  

The 663 and 664 are expected to be coupled together for the weekend for the first time since the painting, and that coupling may happen early next week.  The position for F3s will be on the south turntable lead, near the track diamond where we first began working on CNJ 57. The 664 will be facing the mall ramp, and the 663 will be facing the turntable. The pair never really will be in full sun, but it'll be a good location to see both units up close.  No complaints. When the trackwork finishes this month, both units should return to the turntable lead near the gift shop, where 664 had been sitting since the Convention.

To keep up the friendships, I'd like to invite all of the F-Troop and anyone on this list to a picnic this coming Sunday, August 22, on the Morristown & Erie at Whippany -- corner of Route 10 and Whippany Road, just about three miles east of I-287.  There is a lot of equipment of all types on display that is owned by Tri-State, the M&E, M&E's tennants and the very active Whippany Railway Museum.  Several rail groups are attending.  Tri-State and the CNJ Veterans Association are providing the meat, and everyone is asked to bring salads and deserts to share. Our tradition is to collect $5 per person, but the F-Troopers are on me.  We'll be giving out wristbands, and I'll make the club whole.  But please come if you can.  Hours are from noon to 4:00 p.m.

And there is other good news on the people side of F-Troop. VRA member Justin Kerstner, who rebuilt our air horns at his house, repaired and replaced the plumbing in the cab to make the horns operate, and pitched in with me while painting the roof and other various mechanical tasks on 663, just accepted a shop job with the Delaware-Lackawanna short line in Scranton. Congratulations, Justin, the DL got a good man.

Here are some photos from today. And, again, thanks everyone for taking us this far                      ....Mike Del Vecchio



Here is our baby picture.  It is gorgeous.  There is much remaining to do, but much as been done.





Dave Lindstrum, foreground, is removing tape glue with Goo Gone and a toothbrush, while Tom Kelcec in the distance is scuffing and degreasing the gray paint to be covered with the new black. Note the great reflection in our new paint.  The sun is just barely on this side of the locomotive lighting the edges of the batten strips.  Note also on Dave the Tri-State i.d. tags, and the volunteer pins required by the NPS.  Two notes: First, Goo Gone is amazing stuff, quickly removing any gunk we found on the paint, including the pesky glue from the tan masking tape.  Second, never use the light brown masking tape for anything that isn't going into the garbage.  If it's masking tape you need, buy one of the colors that suits the job best.  End of serman.





Tony Traglia spraying the black for another fabulous finish.  The man is an artiste with a air gun.  We sprayed two coats of black.  Thanks, Tony.






A critical piece of graphic layout was around Joe's Nose -- the maroon points and the black frame stripe have no firm landmarks and must be laid out by eye. Any error will be obvious in the parallel lines.  I took much pride today in getting from one cab railing to the other cab railing with one continuous piece of blue masking tape and getting it perfect. The half-inch maroon border on the herald, then the half inch of yellow surround were challenging. The bell curve on the nose also had no firm landmarks. In this photo, after the automask was removed I'm removing the last two lines of tape.  Today marked the fourth and last time we uncovered that nose herald as part of the painting process.
- --db34e628-74da-4cc2-a9b6-12a44488dbce

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