Red River & Gulf Railroad

Work Session

April 9, 2022

To join the fun, contact the railroad at: Work-Session @ RedRiverAndGulf.net (no spaces)

Volunteer Railroaders:
Casey
Cody
Clint
Mike M
Everett
Jason
Noah
David H Sr.
David H Jr. (by phone)
Glen
Wimbley
Jacques
Makayla
Joe
Gavin
Joe Jr.

Accomplishments

- Transported M-22 to Long Leaf

- Unloaded M-22

- Initial cleaning of M-22

- Initial repairs to M-22 returned her to service

- Emergency Track Repairs

- Vertical Drilling Mill returned to service for first time since 1969

- Back-up light on M-2 repaired

Friday
Cody and Casey arrived with USA 1034, or M-22, on their truck at about 4:30 pm, observed by Clint, Everett, Mike and Doug. Much discussion and observation of the ground and potential unloading sites was discussed, and it was decided to 1) try and unload directly on Engine House track #2 by backing up the hill, and jack knifing the trailer into the Engine House as a first option. The second option would be attempting to unload on the main line outside the Engine House, and the third option would be to clear the storage track of equipment and unload there.

Saturday
All hands were on deck well before the formal start of the work day at 9. By 9:00 AM Casey was backing the truck up the hill and under the guidance of brother Cody. The deck was put directly on Engine House track #2, just outside the pit. Option 1 was successful! Before 9:30AM the engine was on live rail in the Engine House and Casey was moving the truck out of the way. The museum power washer was brought up, and Joe made the first attempt and cleaning out the locomotive cab, and power washing the loose paint and grease off of the engine.

While this was going on, David H, Everett, Wimbley, Clint and Gavin pulled a switch handle from a broken switch stand, and the crew, less Everett but with Jacques and Makayla, removed the broken handle from the Engine House track #2 switch and replaced it with a working handle.

The Army side skirts were removed from the locomotive, and Cody, Casey and David H started reassembly of the brake rigging which was removed to transport the engine.

Joe then turned his abilities to the rail drill, disassembling the carburetor, cleaning it, oiling and greasing as necessary. Before lunch, he had the drill operational. The museum now has a fully operational rail drill and rail saw! Let the track construction begin!

Mike and Glen adjourned to the Machine Shop to work on the Vertical Boring mill and the belt drives. Glen’s separate report on the Machine Shop work is worth a read below.

Jason took a crew consisting of Gavin, Noah and Joe Jr. and did a complete track inspection of the loop. During this process, almost all of the switch stands were properly numbered according the current rule book, and switch locks were provided for ALL switches on the railroad. In addition all switch locks were checked and oiled.

Then it was time to break for lunch at the museum office. Jacques, Makayla, Wimbley and Clint went for a battery for the locomotive before returning for lunch.

Jason's track inspection discovered an area on the curve between the Commissary and Long Leaf Road of intense damage to the track as well as numerous rotten ties, putting the railroad both out of cross level and gauge in that portion of the curve. Because of the seriousness of this issue, all hands (except for the Akin -Hearne Crew working on the locomotive) assembled to put the railroad back together at the point of damage.

Jason brought the tools from the Machine Shop on the museum's tractor, along with 4 ties, and Glen brought an additional 4 ties on his tractor. The crew, consisting of Jacques, Makayla, Wimbley, Gavin, Joe, Jason and Everett pulled all the spikes and Glen dug out all of the bad ties with his tractor's backhoe. Mike took the tractor to the gravel pile to bring in 3 loads of rock to stabilize the area which was very wet and water soaked. After the gandy dancer crew leveled off the gravel, Glen inserted 8 ties at 4 different locations using his tractor before returning with Mike to the Machine Shop. Working furiously, by 4:00 the 8 ties had been bedded, partially cross leveled, tamped and spiked, although some gauge issues and cross level issues remained for work on Sunday.

Upon receiving word that the Akin-Hearne crew had successfully cranked up the locomotive, the track crew immediately made for the Engine House to observe the running locomotive.

The Akin-Hearne crew had been working with David's son David (a qualified diesel mechanic) over the phone and with his advice and the Army operations manual provided by Wimbley, succeeded in starting the locomotive (after cleaning the injectors as advised by David Jr).

By the time that the track crew arrived, Cody and Casey were running through the locomotive systems, using the Army Manual for reference as to the system controls. By 4:45 it was determined that with the exception of a single sander, all locomotive systems, air brakes, horn, bell, transmission, and engine were operational and testing of the locomotive at the hand of Cody began. Once it was determined that the throttle, transmission and air brakes, as well as horn and bell were functional, each volunteer present was given an opportunity to take a hand at the throttle and get a feel for the engine under the direction of Cody.

Meanwhile, the noise from the Machine Shop also indicated that much progress was being made on the belt systems and especially on the Vertical Boring Mill, which was Glen and Mike's project for the day. By 5:00, the boring mill had been running for 2.5 solid hours, which was a huge achievement for something that had not run since at least 1969, and was deemed too difficult to attempt in the initial restoration of the Machine Shop. Although not complete, the simple fact that it was partially functional and ran for that length of time without creating any problems for the belt systems was a huge achievement for Glen and Mike.

As the 7:00 wedding time approached, by 6:30 the activity in the Shop and Engine House wound down on what was a most successful day at Long Leaf.

Glen’s Machine Shop Report:

Glen and Mike Miller attempted to get the Vertical Boring Mill started again after sitting dormant for many years. Three months ago, the mill was partially disassembled, and a partial cleaning done which did result in the 42-inch rotating table being freed and able to turn. Saturday, we restarted our effort to get the old girl going again only to find several issues with the main belt shaft drive slipping and the vertical mill belt slipping. After adjusting the main belt idler pulley Glen climbed up and oiled the entire main shaft. Several minor issues still existed with the Vertical Mill belt slipping still so Glen climbed back up to adjust the belt forks and stops for the mill belt. At this point a test was in order, so the shops main shaft was fired up. Within a minute or two the vertical mill drive belt settled down and was able to produce a steady supply of power to the vertical mill for the first time since the 1960's,

Although the main table was now turning the power feeds for both cutting heads had not moved the heads in nearly 65 years. While the mill was exercising its table Glen and Mike began working on the right-side cutting head and its feeds. After an hour or so of oiling, cleaning, and strong-arm labor trying to turn the horizontal feed screw it was found that the set screw had been left partially engaged by whomever had last used the mill back in the 1960's. After correcting this and more cleaning the right-side cutting head was freed up and able to travel both horizontally and vertically by the mills power feeds for the first time in a long time. By this time the main shops shaft drive had been continually running for 2.5 hours with no issues. The two transmission gear boxes await removal, cleaning and repairs to be able to adjust the feed rates.

Sunday
The morning plan was for the track crew to complete the cross level and gauge work on the curve between the Commissary and Long Leaf Road. Working swiftly, the crew completed the work there in less than an hour, and riding the M4, they went up the hill to spike several more ties on the hill that needing spiking near Lueck's Loft.

Meanwhile, Cody and Casey had gone back to the locomotive to prepare a list of the next operations necessary to prepare the locomotive for service, while Glen had gone back to work in the Machine Shop to get the belt drive for the forced air to the forge working.

Sunday Glen returned to find the Vertical mills’ belt was still being contrary when the main shaft was fired up so additional adjusting was required on the belt guide forks. Finally, success again and full power to the Vertical mill. Next up was the drive belt for the forge blower which had failed last summer. After climbing up, inspecting and oiling the blowers drive shaft and pulleys up in the attic, I began locating the missing belt. Upon locating it I was able to determine what caused the failure, a bad splice in the belt had failed. The belt was trimmed correctly, and a new splice installed. After installing the belt my initial test found the forge blower up running once more however after running for 30 minutes, a knocking noise was recognized and determined to be from the small belt pulley on the blower fan so this will need to be removed, inspected and repaired next time.

By 11:00 Glen had begun work on the left cutting head attempting to free it up. Jacques and Makayla assisted with this but as noon approached, we decided to leave this task for future work sessions and retired the Machine shop for the day.

When the track crew arrived back at the shop, they were able to witness more extensive locomotive testing and work on the transmission by Cody and Casey. When the work on the locomotive (which the group consensus will become RR&G #M-22 using its second Army number) was completed, the M-2 was brought in the Engine House, and Joe was able to wire the rear headlight so that the car has working bi-directional headlights for the first time in many years.

The M-2 was moved to track #1 and the M-4 put over the pit to conclude the daily operations.

At noon, all hands called it a day after one of the most successful weekends at Long Leaf.

-Everett Lueck
RR&G General Manager

Video of M-22

Friday

The Akin brothers depart Shreveport with M-22

Keeping a close eye on the RR&G's newest motive power.

Photo Essay of the Guts of M-22

Saturday

Backing to the Engine House

Casey ably backs the rig to the Engine House

An artsy shot

The sun is rising on a new day... and a new life... for this ol' critter.

The brothers jack-knifed the trailer onto Track #2 on the first attempt, lining up on the rails perfectly.

It was an impressive display of professionalism.

Up she goes

Cody directs Casey

Done

Down she goes

TOUCHDOWN!

A little help from the volunteers got both axels onto RR&G rails

The guys store their gear before moving the truck.

Everett oils the Engineer's side door track so we could get it fully open.

Wimbley oiled the Fireman's side

Ladies, Cody is single.

Starting the clean-up

Gavin & David replace a switch handle

Jacques begins the power washing

Joe takes it to the next level.

Jason and his crew (Gavin, Joe Jr, and Noah) walked the entire loop to hammer down lose spikes and locate problem areas.

We also labeled all of the switch stands, installed switch locks where needed, and inspected and oiled existing switch locks.

Planer Mill Jct - Switch #2

During the track inspection tour, 2 trouble spots were located. The most critical was between the Commissary/Depot and Long Leaf Road.

The track was heavily damaged by a tracked vehicle of some sort. We don't know how it happened, but we don't believe any SFHM or RR&G personnel did it. In any case, all hands were enlisted to repair the area so the M-4 could safely operate.

Staging replacement ties

Glen digs out old ties

Glen has saved us many MANY hours of hard work with his tractor.

Lifting a tie so it can be cribbed and spiked.

Joe adjusts the gauge.

Mike brings in rock ballast

Wimbley & Clint spread the ballast.

Glen shoves in new ties

The Akin/Hearne team worked on the M-22 until she was purring once again!

According to David:

"The patient wouldn't respond, so myself and Casey & Cody, had to perform open heart surgery on it to resurrect her. Opened the access panel on top of the hood, then removed the valve cover, then after several phone calls to the specialist in Detroit Diesels (my son, David Jr.) we discovered two of the three fuel injectors were frozen. After removing these, they were freed up on the operating table (shop bench) and restored to full function. Once everything was back in place, patient came to life immediately after hittin' the starter. A good time was had by all taking turns running it up and down the Engine House track."

Gavin takes a turn at the controls under Casey's tutelage while Noah guards against a zombie attack.

Cody & Casey stand with Glen just after Glen & Mike returned the Vertical Boring Mill to service for first time since 1969.

The SFHM Tractor

Saturday evening, after dinner, the wedding party that rented the museum was under full swing. The security guard, Gary, frequently came by the lodge to chat with the RR&G volunteers and escape the wedding crowd and noise. His company was appreciated by all of us. During one of the exchanges, Everett mentioned knowing Draughon Crowell personally (the last Crowell to manage the mill) and one of his best friends, Sherman Sumbler. When Mr. Sumbler's name was mentioned, Gary put his hand on Everett's chest and quietly inquired "You knew my Daddy?" He said it with such sincere reverence and emotion that we were all a bit choked up. Everett immediately asked Gary (whom he's know for years) "Your last name is Sumbler!? I had no idea!" What followed were many colorful stories about the Sumbler family that we all appreciated hearing. Sherman worked in the mill up to the time it was shut down and remained an employee of the Crowell family for quite a long time after that. Gary was BORN in Long Leaf and lived his first 10 years here until the mill was shut down.

It was quite a conversation and will be long remembered by all those present.

The tractor above bears the name Sherman Sumbler Jr. If you've ever wondered why, now you know. He was a close, personal friend of the Crowell family. Sherman passed in 2012.