past activity

Pre Asbestos Abatement Work

[updated: 2/12/2008]

Enough money has been raised to begin restoration. Please, we still need more money to complete the project. Don't hesitate to help out. Thanks!
Liability Insurance was put into effect April 9, 2007.
Pre-asbestos work on the locomotive began last summer - 2007. We removed the steam, air, water and sanding pipes and catwalk from the boiler section.
The bell was removed, cleaned and rung for the first time in 53 years.
Asbestos Abatement bids were let and a contract for $28,375 awarded to TEC-AN of Oklahoma City. We are awaiting the weather and the contractor to cooperate with each other. Last word......around February 13 - 15th, 2008.
We are working with the City of Duncan to pin the exact physical location of the corners of our project so we can begin laying track. You wouldn't think that would be that hard a task, would you?

You might notice from the photos that the work area is a little cramped. You work with what you have. We have a great bunch of volunteers. We have only been working 4 to 6 hours on Saturday mornings. We will begin more frequent operations after the asbestos has been removed and the City pinpoints our display area corners.

I'd like to make a public "Thank You!" to all those working on every aspect of this project.....those who donate, solicit, man booths, do research, physical restoration and offer verbal support.

The bell was removed April 26th, 2007 in preparation for our kick off celebration in Fuqua Park on May 12th. We cleaned it up, painted the cradle and installed a clapper.

With every good thing there seems to be a little bad. The bell has a hairline radial crack in the top two inches of the bell.

The 905's Bell, polished & ready for its first ringing in 53 years

Take a look at the 905's new
whistle!

Up inside, clapper missing.

The Bell, polished and ready for the May 12th celebration in the park.

Beautiful, isn't it?

The First Work Sessions

Since the asbestos wasn't to be removed until Fall, 2007, the only other work to the locomotive itself was preparation for the asbestos abatement. Before asking for the final bids for the Asbestos Abatement, we wanted to remove everything we could from the outside of the boiler section.

Of course we couldn't take off any of the sheeting covering the boiler because it would expose the asbestos. But we can take off all the steam pipes, electrical conduit, handrails, sanding pipes, dynamos, walks, brackets and stanchions. Hopefully doing this will keep the abatement costs down and stop these items from being damaged during removal.

It's hot and humid here in Oklahoma. Therefore we began with half-day sessions for three Saturdays in a row: July 18th, August 4th and 11th. We had to develop our processes for handling, transportation, storage and labeling.

On the advice of Mr. Tom Snider at the Illinois RR Museum, everything that is attached directly to the metal parts of the locomotive by threaded studs is heated to red hot before being unscrewed. This has certainly worked well.

First Workday 07/28/2007

Standing, left to right: Don Thomas, James Bullock, Leta Feldmeier, Bob Hare, Dwight Skinner, Fred Flippen, Mike Stuckert & Don Garrison.

Kneeling, left to right: Dennis Wienck, Jerry Collins, Jared Head, Jason Blair & Mark Haire.

Progressive Comparison Photos

                               Fireman's Side                                                                                                                   Engineer's Side
                                                                                                                                                    At end of
                                                                                                                                             Session # - Date

Fireman's side, Before Asbestos Abatement

Engineer's side before beginning to remove items.

The Before Shots

# 3
08/11/07

# 7
09/29/07

# 8
11/17/07

Ready for Abatement