Update on Scranton Transit #505

Ho, boy.  This is what we started with in 2012.  Scranton Transit #505 had been stored outdoors for nearly 60 years, and it showed.  The car had been stripped out in the mid 60s while at the Magee museum in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, with the parts stored away. 

Fundraising began, and the car was moved to AES of Mertztown in 2015 to start the metalwork.  Working from the original builder's drawings, the crossmembers were replaced and the body squared up.  New body bolsters were made to replace the originals.

The project was put on hold for a bit while AES moved to a new shop in Kutztown.  Work then continued with the fabrication of new platform knees and the front fairing panels. 

At this point, AES had gone as far as they were able to, and we were eager to bring the car back to Scranton and get started on the woodwork.  We really wanted to save the original side sheets if possible, and we had, I believe, no fewer than three metallurgists who inspected the car and said we were good to go.

We arranged to have the car media blasted before its return (low pressure, professional blaster), and the majority of the sheets folded like tin foil.  Unfortunately, the corten steel sheets that the car was built with had been compromised and were beyond saving. 

Back to the drawing board.  Now we needed to raise more money, and find a contractor who could replace the side sheets.  The Delaware, Lackawaxen & Stourbridge Railroad in nearby Honesdale, PA, agreed to take the job on.  The car was transferred to their shop in early 2019.

Amazingly, Stourbridge was able to find a long-time local supplier who could recreate the side sheets with the proper beltline profile.  This allowed us to replace the sheets in full sections at the factory seams, exactly as Osgood Bradley had built the car.  Once the sheets were fitted they were hot riveted into place. 

I think this photo speaks for itself.

Good to hear that the 505 is coming along.  Keep them on track John.  I want to ride with you when you sit in the motorman's seat. 

Just when we had some momentum going, covid hit.  After a few months we were able to begin meeting regularly again, but the vendors who were still open were crippled.  Many still are, and some have closed their doors for good.  So, we switched gears.  Our first pair of motors were sent out to UTC/RAS and it's taken a while but they are nearly finished.

Since we share out right-of-way with a freight operation, our operating cars need to run a full width FRA profile wheel.  However, Osgood Bradley designed the trucks for a compromise wheel, and the 5"+ width of the new wheels was going to cause a few problems.  After some measuring, and measuring again, we were able to spec out a dished wheel which should give us the room we need.  Eight new wheels from McKees Rocks Forgings arrived in the second half of 2022.

This brings us to today.  We had a number of bolt-on parts made before the car left AES - floor supports, brackets, etc.  We're in the process of getting those painted and installed, and for all intents and purposes, that is the end of the metalwork on the car.  At that point, we'll be on the move again.

Our association volunteers have been getting some of the larger components ready for the next phase of work, and the car's compressor and brake cylinder are ready to go.  They have also finished up a few other projects in the queue and can now tackle 505's truck frames. 

If our plans for 2023 come together, I think you're going to see some big leaps forward.