The Latest from the Strasburg Rail Road Shops

Emmo213 · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2016 9:22 am

Kelly Anderson wrote:

Emmo213 wrote:

For the boxcar, was that resided with regular wood or a Trex-like product?

Details on the siding used were covered in my last report here.

Thank you. I think looking at newer materials like this is a huge plus for the community. We have a wood caboose that needs to be restored and while I'm sure it costs more up front using a synthetic product would probably cheaper in the long run. We'll have to look into it more, and I look forward to any updates or conversation on the process.

Thanks!

R L Musser · **Joined:** Fri Mar 12, 2021 8:30 pm **Posts:** 0

Dennis Storzek wrote:

Very nice write up, on a very nice project. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

The article mentions the "cocoon" utilizes a rubber roof. Is this the same grade EPDM you are using for the finished roofs? How does it gold up in what I assume is a "loose lay" application?

Dennis,
Yes, the rubber is the same stuff we use for the finished roofs. Unlike the finished roofs, we apply it "dry", but put a little tension on it so the wind doesn't beat it up. We then nail it on the perimeter, many times putting a strip of wood against it first. It has held up just fine so far.

Rick

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2016 5:20 pm

How long is "so far", if I may ask.

Scranton Yard · **Joined:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:08 am **Posts:** 733

Dennis Storzek wrote:

How long is "so far", if I may ask.

According to the caption for the first photo in Ms. Biesecker's article on the B&O coach, "The B&O Coach ... was given to the Strasburg Railroad in June of 1990. Strasburg “Cocooned” the coach immediately to protect it from the elements and further deterioration." My read is that the cocoon, including the EPDM roof, held up nicely for the entire 25 1/2 years the car was under wraps.

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:05 pm

No offense, but neither the metal siding or the rubber roof in that photo look like they've seen 25 years of weather. I assume that Strasburg maintains their "cocooned" equipment, and suspect that cocoon has been redone at least once... but I would be pleasantly surprised to find that it hadn't been.

I have an inherent aversion to recommending glued on roofs on historical restorations, and would like to substantiate the life of a EPDM membrane in a "loose lay" application.

R L Musser · **Joined:** Fri Mar 12, 2021 8:30 pm **Posts:** 0

That car was originally cocooned with plywood and "rolled roofing". The metal siding and rubber was applied in 2008.

Rick

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Thu Mar 10, 2016 11:46 am

Rick, Thanks.

Scranton Yard · **Joined:** Thu Feb 27, 2014 10:08 am **Posts:** 733

R L Musser wrote:

That car was originally cocooned with plywood and "rolled roofing". The metal siding and rubber was applied in 2008.

Rick

Damn that Evelyn Woodhead sped reddin' course! Good eye, Mr. Storzek.