It
all started back in April of 2006, and the railroad got an idea to build their
1st riding car to use at the Kern County Live Steamers track in the outskirts of
Bakersfield. So the Chief Engineer #2 let one of the club members know what the
railroad wanted to do, and that club member, his name is Tom Osterdock, found
somewhat detailed plans to build a 5 ft. 9 ľ in. wooden gondola, and that worked
out just perfect. The railroad building crew got straight to work by making a
materials list and went out to Lowe’s to get all of it. When that was complete,
we (meaning me, Steven, and Paul Dillard), looked at the plans and got the
plywood and measured all the necessary pieces to be cut out. Then, once that was
complete, including the cutting and gluing plywood, we were ready to sand it all
down, and then paint it. As you can see in the above picture, it looks nice with
the camera flash shining on it. The approximate construction time, including
sanding and painting, and trips to the hardware store took all about 2-3 weeks.
| Trucks and couplers used for the gondola were purchased from
Tom Bee Co. The
couplers are non-operating because the railroad didn’t want to wait an extra 2
weeks adding to delivery time from Tom Bee. Anyways, the trucks were perfect for
the gondola, and also installed fairly easily. For coupler pockets, the railroad
went out and bought 1/8” x 1”x 2” rectangular tubing, and cut to size. These
were installed fairly easily also when they got cut to size. Once the gondola
came together, it was time to put it on the track and adjust the coupler height
to match KCLS’s 8 ft. bench cars. Before that, the railroad bought and installed
safety chains and eye loops on both ends of the car. Then of course, they bought
two boat seats so people could sit in it. Currently, the gondola is being used
as a conductor’s car on the main passenger train at the Kern County Live
Steamers, and it’s been in service for almost a year. It just survived a major
train show here in Bakersfield, and it didn’t mind hauling a few extra
passengers on the seats. |
This gondola was built by Paul Dillard and Steven Keeney of
Steven's Railroad (now called the S & C Railroad.)
|
| You may ask what makes this cars so stable? It's the way I
have my trucks set up. A club member at KCLS suggested I tap and die the bolster
bar, and install a couple of hex-cap bolts on both sides per truck.
It works really well and keeps the car very stable both when people are riding
AND when running empty. Since the trucks are from Tom Bee, they make the car
flexible (KCLS's track isn't 100% straight). The gondola flies through switches
without any kind of problem which usually happens on the railroad. Compared to
other cars, it's the only car that DOES NOT derail on the track. Everyone in the
club loves it, and are glad that I bring it out to run days, train shows, etc.
|
This car has never derailed on Kern County Live Steamer's track
in Bakersfield.
|
The S & C's current project is a 5' flatcar with cushioned seats. The future
projects include a GE Boxcab (0-4-0 wheel arrangement), a caboose and more.
The Kern County Live Steamer’s members LOVE the gondola, and hope for it to
remain in service for a long time. They call it, “The most non-derailing, and
most comfortable car on the train…” Tim Willard says, “You guys should build 5
or 6 more Gondolas!!” The S & C Railroad is a private 7 ˝” gauge railroad, and
I’m the Chief Engineer # 2 of it. Remember, “It all started with a wooden
gondola!!!!” To find out more information about the Kern County Live Steamers,
visit our site:
kclivesteamers.com.
Written by Steven Sosa-Marcon
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