Over the last 2 years the RCT&HS has been restoring EX RDG GP-35 #3640 it was built in 1964 by EMD
It was later rebuilt by the Reading Company in 1974. It also had the distinction of being the only RDG GP-35 to receive the Reading's final "all green" scheme
3640 was acquired by the RCT&HS in 1994 and was returned to service in 2002.
One of the projects we did to 3640 was to completely rebuilt the Battery boxes this series of photos shows the restoration process.
This is the Front corner of the Battery box before any work was done to it
After the grate was removed
And after the spacers were torched out
Same view again with more metal removed
A view showing the middle before any work was done
After the grate and spacer were removed
Torching out the bad metal
Starting to get there
A view looking at the rear of the box after everything is stripped out
After everything was needle scaled it got painted with rust inhibitor
The front corner was a little bent up
So it was all cut out
And replaced
The new trim piece was then welded in place
Handrail refastened
Mount for one of the steps was also replaced
The new framework for the battery box was welded in place
Next the new side sheets are installed
The new grate and acid deflector
The new brackets for the spacers welded in
The spacers welded in place and new grate test fit
Straightening out the top edge
New grate in place all painted with acid resistant paint
And the finished box
It was later rebuilt by the Reading Company in 1974. It also had the distinction of being the only RDG GP-35 to receive the Reading's final "all green" scheme
3640 was acquired by the RCT&HS in 1994 and was returned to service in 2002.
One of the projects we did to 3640 was to completely rebuilt the Battery boxes this series of photos shows the restoration process.
This is the Front corner of the Battery box before any work was done to it
After the grate was removed
And after the spacers were torched out
Same view again with more metal removed
A view showing the middle before any work was done
After the grate and spacer were removed
Torching out the bad metal
Starting to get there
A view looking at the rear of the box after everything is stripped out
After everything was needle scaled it got painted with rust inhibitor
The front corner was a little bent up
So it was all cut out
And replaced
The new trim piece was then welded in place
Handrail refastened
Mount for one of the steps was also replaced
The new framework for the battery box was welded in place
Next the new side sheets are installed
The new grate and acid deflector
The new brackets for the spacers welded in
The spacers welded in place and new grate test fit
Straightening out the top edge
New grate in place all painted with acid resistant paint
And the finished box