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STOCK CAR RESTORATION

STOCK CAR RESTORATION COMPLETE – 10/20/2016.

Both Stock cars, double decked 5564 and single deck 5627, had much of the rotting woodwork replaced at Arboles Timberwrights, moved to Holts Sheet Metal in Durango for refitting of doors and eventually transported to Silverton in September 2015 where they stood on the transfer track. But some work still needed to be done before they could be considered ‘complete’. That included replacing some of the door hardware and lettering both cars. First job though was to replace the floors in the doorways of the double decked car 5564. On closer inspection we found that the upper floor was in good condition and so we left the orignal in place. However the lower floor had rotted badly in the door area and the boards were replaced, painted with linseed oil and the floor edges painted black to match the rest of the car.

The completed 5564 stands on our transfer siding in Silverton. — D&RGW double decked stock car 5564, rebuilt to post war standard, stands on our transfer siding in Silverton.(Photo: George Niederauer)

Originally the corners of the door frames were lined with 1/4″ angled sheet metal to protect the wood. We had three serviceable liners and had five more made up by Rusty’s Welding in Ignacio, CO. The doors were missing a number of fittinga. We found two replacements for the distinctive door handles and had patterns for the door latches I-bolts and cleats and these too were fabricated in Ignacio. 5564 was missing a grab iron, brake wheel and retainer, replacements were found in our stores. Once all the missing detail parts were fitted and painted, lettering followed.

D&RGW single deck stock in post 1926 (rebuild) paint and lettering and the cars were complete well ahead of the deadline.(Photo: George Niederauer) — D&RGW single deck stock in post 1926 (rebuild) paint and lettering.(Photo: George Niederauer)

The stock cars are now complete, photos taken and reports sent to the Colorado State Historical Fund which provided 75% of the funding.

… TWO D&RGW STOCK CARS READY T BE RESTORED.

D&RGW Stock cars 5564 and 5627 at Arboles. (Photo: Mark Kasprowicz)

Preparatory work on two stock cars, 5564 and 5627, started on the 16th March, the day after signing of the History Colorado State Historical Fund contract. Based on the San Juan Timberwrights site in Arboles CO, the work centered on removing wood that had decayed beyond the point of preservation and removal of the roofs. As much of the original material was preserved as possible but in some instances, rot, mainly due to water damage, had gone so far as to require replacement of the timber. The work was carried out by DRHS volunteers.

Look HERE for more detail and how you can help preserve these historic cars.

D&RGW Freight Cars

Durango Railroad Historical Society is comprised of a dedicated group of individuals who are united by their interest in narrow gauge railroading and focus on the preservation of southwest Colorado’s railroad history.

The Durango Railroad Historical Society is a non-profit corporation in Colorado and is a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.