old train whistle repair

[ryanjones2150]

This thing is loud! My friend took a video, I hope this link works....

https://www.vzmessages.com/vl/61f121b48864b1d97e9744e0fae90a9eb80945e3

It literally rattled my ear plugs....

[ryanjones2150]

Solid job.

[ryanjones2150]

Yikes.

[ryanjones2150]

Goodness....how much is a new control board?

[ryanjones2150]

I’m just a tech class (KC5HOZ), but I haven’t been active for years. My first transmitter and receiver were Heath Kits I found, brand new in the box, at a garage sale. Picked up a code practice box and a 2kw linear too, got to build them all. I loved that linear amp, two monster tubes in the middle,...

[ryanjones2150]

I would’ve tested it tonight had I double checked my math and not blown the part in the lathe. But I only cut the bore out .156” over size, so I guess if you’re going to blow it, may as well REALLY blow it!

Making an adapter to fit the odd thread in the bottom of the whistle and...

[ryanjones2150]

The pilot hole is a good idea. Probably took more time dragging the torch hoses out than it took to actually cut them out too.

[ryanjones2150]

This is the bowl from an old train steam whistle. It’s a Nathan 5 chime and it was made from about 1900 until 1941 in brass, after that they were made out of cast iron because of the war effort. We believe this horn to be from the 1920s, so it’s about 100 years old.

The gaping hole...

[ryanjones2150]

I just got a battery powered grinder, so we’ll see how it holds up. But I’m in the camp of a service trailer, which is slowly moving up on my list. As it is now, I just have to load all my junk up every time, it’s pretty annoying.

[ryanjones2150]

Ah. I guess it’s the service body that I think looks very old fire truck-ish. Thought it might have been repurposed on a new chassis. But either way, pretty dang nice!

[ryanjones2150]

After driving that 31 model A around, I believe I would like to take on one of those projects, but I’d have to find an upgrade to the braking system, it’s just terrible on those old cars. I don’t see that being a problem in this build since it’s a modern chassis. Dang cool custom for sure.

[ryanjones2150]

Looks like an old crew cab fire or rescue truck. Heavy duty, lancerman. Good work.

[ryanjones2150]

I see in the picture where it says on the top left of the panel “serial no.” but it’s not readable.

I use the phone app for this forum and a lot of the time the pictures don’t just pop up, I’m glad you said something, so now I’ll do a better job of checking on this thread for...

[ryanjones2150]

Good lookin rig!

[ryanjones2150]

Had a chance to drive an originally equipped model A a couple months back, it’s certainly a different kind of driving, more like driving a tractor.

[ryanjones2150]

I won’t be much help to you for this problem, other than an encouraging cheer from the sidelines when you get it figured out. But those here that can help you will need you to post the serial number to your machine. Good luck.

[ryanjones2150]

Cool project! I bought a roll of that 3m paper you have on there a while back. I was shocked at how much it is. Don’t waste it!

So this car is going to look old but run like stink huh?

[ryanjones2150]

That’s funny. When I see big nasty booger welds on jobs that come in, I always ask the person dropping off the job if he welded it with his feet, now I have the proof!

[ryanjones2150]

That almost looks like a rollback wrecker, man! Heavy duty.

[ryanjones2150]

To be honest I haven’t been impressed with my local Miller service center in the least bit. I’ve been able to get WAY better help from this forum. Their answer to every machine problem is “you need a new machine”. That’s unacceptable as far as I’m concerned. I have machines of several brands...