The second FEBT Rockhill work session of 2009 will be held on Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8, 2009.

We will work from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and from 9 am to 4 pm Sunday.
We'll meet at the Rockhill shops at 9 am.

MEALS
Breakfast both days and dinner will be available at the Iron Rail B&B, across the street from the depot. Lunch will be offered both days by RTY. Please RSVP to me by Thursday evening, March 6, at 10 p.m. if you plan to join eat any of these meals.

WEATHER
The current forecast is for weather in the 50s, but you know how changeable the central mountains can be! So visit www.accuweather.com <http://www.accuweather.com> and check the Rockhill zip code, 17249, for the latest weather as we approach the date. In case of serious snow or ice on Friday night or Saturday that will make travel hazardous, drop me an email or call to see if we are still going to work Hopefully we are past worrying about that.

COMBINE 14
This work will continue on several front. The main job will be to continue milling the side posts to accept the new plywood web girders.
We made a big dent in this last time – let’s see how close we can come to finishing this time. Bring hand carpentry tools. We can use another person with a hand-held plunge router that can take 3/4 off a 2x4. Bring gloves, goggles and ear protectors; there is a lot of sawdust. Lee Rainey will lead this project.

STEEL CREW
Proving their versatility, the steel crew will finish the coupler bolt-up on the south end of the combine and then start the bumper fit up along with finishing the rod installation.

In addition, they will start using the oak boards by the sandhouse to replace the floor along the west wall of the loco shop.

BOILERHOUSE
The Boiler Rats will be working in the coming year on fabricating new roof trusses and a composite beam. Jim Bacon will lead this project.
Heavy-duty hand power tools are useful on this crew. Remember their
motto: anything smaller than a 4x4 is just trim.

MAIN SHOPS
The Glass Rattlers typically spend the winter in sash repair unless the weather is unusually mild. It looks like this might be the weekend to get outside. Bring carpentry and glazing tools. Chris Coleman will lead this project.

GARAGE
Bill Adams will lead the work on the garage. This is carpentry work, and light power tools are useful.

GROUND RULES
To take part you must be 18 and a member of the FEBT (or join the FEBT at the work site.) These are insurance requirements. We are guests of the railroad and need to behave accordingly.

Last-minute walk-ons are always welcome at our sessions, but if possible, drop me an email in advance to let me know that you are coming. It helps with the planning.

See you there!

Any photo updates available for those of us unable to get over to EBT?

I am really interested in the sidewall repair that you guys are doing on the Combine, since we will need to do similar work to the P&R Coach 910 (Yankee Silversmith Inn `Parlor Car') when we can get to her.

Thanks,

Rich Cizik
MoW Foreman
Blacksmith Shop Co-Head
Ct Eastern RR Museum
Willimantic, Ct 06226
www.cteastrrmuseum.org

Photos of the Sep-Feb sessions will be on the web site shortly. I will try to get some of the Combine this weekend.

http://www.febt.org/Restore/RF/

The March session photos are up, there are a few of the combine. It is hard to get good photos of the combine work due to the close quarters.

http://www.febt.org/Restore/RF/0903.html