Quality Electricians = Success

During Thursday (28/1) and Friday (29/1), upon recommendation from our Goodmates at Team Goodwin Alco in Sydney, we had a visit from the highly experience railway electrican Col (who has an excellent reputation for being able to solve Alco electrical problems).

Detailed inspections show the electrical control and traction systems on 4468 to be in very good condition. The problem of the engine not revving up was also solved.

As some problems were solved as a result of Col's visit, the opportunity was taken on Saturday 30 January to give 4468 more testing on the ARHS leased "North Shunt" (which is still in the ARHS yard limit) in respect to braking and other control bits and pieces.

The photographer today would like to offer apologies for the lack of quality in the shots as he didnt have his usual camera on hand, so was forced to take photos with his mobile phone - which not as good as they could be, are better than none at all!

The first shot we see 4468 sitting near loco awaiting to head out the back gate.














Gav (one half of the A-Team) has set up the No. 1 control stand and prepped the controls in anticipation of moving - the zero amps measure is a good indication of no power to the traction systems!














Part and parcel of restoring the engine also includes lots of cleaning - even in the insides of the control stands. After a thorough effort, Pat the Electrican (the second half of the A-Team) efforts with much degreaser has really cleaned up the electrical control stand in the No. 2 very nicely indeed.
















Here we see some pictures of the engine sitting under the Ipswich Street bridge in Fyshwick.






















Happy Alco following until next update!

P.S. Dont forget to book for your spot on the trip to Kandos from Central on 20 February 2010 with the ARHS group as a fundraiser for locomotive projects of the ARHS. (contact phone 02 6284 2790 or email trains@trains.org.au to book your ticket)