MOUNT VERNON PPCX 800708
Phase II of Refurbishment We selected Delaware Car Company for the second phase or repair/improvements work on our car. This phase was primarily repairs. Here is a summary of the major tasks that were completed by DCC, with Steve Rogowski serving as project manager, between November 2000 and April 2001: -- Completed all work required for satisfactory completion of Amtrak's
PC-2 and PC-1 inspections. The A end truck was completely rebuilt. Some
adjustments were made to the B end truck which was previously rebuilt
by Jon Clark. Extensive repairs (primarily doubler plates) were made
to the car's side sills to restore structural integrity. Repaired buffer
plates and diaphragms on both ends of the car. One wheelset was sent
out to a wheel shop for bearing work. -- Replaced the constant voltage DC power supply. Some people refer to this as the "battery charger", but in actuality this is a sophisticated power supply which produces a constant supply of DC power to charge the batteries and power DC circuits such as marker lights, emergency lights, and decelostats. Filled the batteries, cleaned them, replaced some battery cables, and recharged the batteries. -- Completed all clearance measurements and documented them on Amtrak's PC-5 clearance diagram. -- Checked the air conditioning system for leaks and corrected same. Replaced some resistors (a previous running repair) on the Vapor panel which controls air conditioning, heating, and ventilation. -- Installed deadbolt security locks on both the A and B end doors. -- Cleaned the exterior of the car with a pressurized water & chemical
bath. The car's stainless steel now has a brighter cleaner appearance.
[All photos are by Jack Deasy unless otherwise noted] The car on jacks inside Delaware Car Company's shop. Truck shop foreman, Steve Rogowski, and Luis Caceres.
The A end truck was completely rebuilt by Delaware Car Company.
Amtrak's inspector directed that the B end truck, previously rebuilt by Jon Clark, be rolled out for a closer inspection. Delaware Car Company made a few adjustments to this truck and then gave it a fresh coat of aluminum silver paint to match the newly rebuilt A end truck.
[Photos by Delaware Car Company] A major component of the Amtrak PC-2 "forty year" inspection is an inspection of the car's side sills followed by repairs to any side sill defects. MOUNT VERNON required considerable work to correct problems in this area. These photos illustrate the doubler patches that were applied to restore the structural integrity of the side sills.
On to Phase III of Refurbishment |
