|
Well,
I've
learned
that
the
restoration
process
is
a
lot
slower
than
I
expected.
It
seems
like
I
work
on
X201
every
spare
minute
I
have
but
don't
have
much
to
show
for
it.
Since
the
last
update,
I
have
begun
the
long,
tedious
process
of
sanding
and
priming
all
of
the
surface
rust
spots
that
have
accumulated
on
X201.
Overall,
the
caboose
body
is
in
good
shape.
The
existing
coat
of
paint
from
1979
has
held
up
pretty
well
so
I
decided
against
sandblasting
the
cab.
I
used
a
wire
brush
attachment
for
a
pneumatic
die
grinder
on
the
rough
spots
and
then
came
back
over
them
with
a
pneumatic
dual
action
sander.
I
sanded
down
to
bare
steel
before
applying
the
primer.
The
primer
I
used
was
a
red
ICI
(Glidden/Devoe)
brand,
Alkyd
Metal
Primer.
Since
using
the
red
primer,
I
was
advised
that
a
gray
primer
would
work
better
on
the
portions
of
the
caboose
that
will
be
painted
yellow.
This
will
reduce
the
number
of
coats
of
Safety
Yellow
topcoat
that
will
be
required
to
cover
the
primer.
The
primer
was
applied
with
a
brush
to
get
a
thick
coat.
I
will
lightly
sand
the
brush
strokes
before
adding
the
topcoat.
On
the
interior,
I
installed
the
air
gage.
I
had
planned
to
use
one
of
the
two
green-faced
Salem
air
gages,
native
to
Southern
equipment,
that
I
have
collected
over
the
years.
But,
I
ran
across
a
black-faced
Westinghouse
air
gage
at
a
flea
market
for
$8.00.
It
was
missing
the
glass
lens
but
I
had
one
cut
at
the
local
glass
company
for
$3.00.
This
particular
style
of
gage
was
also
used
on
Southern
cabs
and
the
bracket
on
my
locker
matched
this
gage.
This
was
the
only
piece
missing
from
X201
besides
the
EXTREMELY
rare
lamp
that
was
mounted
over
the
conductor's
table.
Also,
since
the
last
update,
I
charged
X201's
air
reservoir
and
tested
the
brakes.
Besides
some
leaky
angle-cocks,
the
air
system
functioned
perfectly,
even
after
sitting
for
15
years!
I'd
like
to
thank
Mark
Walker,
owner
of
Southern
X461,
and
John
Cudd,
owner
of
Southern
X445,
for
their
continued
advice
and
assistance
in
the
restoration
of
X201. |
