Another Saturday at the Bus Yard
Today was pretty successful. I met Dad early for breakfast, then went with him down to the Old Pueblo Trolley restoration shop to meet up with Gene Caywood. The purpose of the visit was to show him what the Bus Division is working on and the quality of work that the shop puts out. To that end, we escorted Dad through the shop, showing him the 1928 Model 40 Twin Coach and the 1948 Yellow Coach that are currently under restoration. We then went outside and demonstrated our restored 1938 Yellow Coach-Warren Bisbee Lines No. 8 and took it for a short drive. After that, we showed him Old Pueblo Transit No. 135 (my project) and made an attempt to start it. We made several attempts to start, but it wouldn't catch, so we walked back through the yard and showed him other coaches that are awaiting restoration. Coming back by the 135, I made a couple of more attempts to start it and got it to start after holding the throttle open for about a minute before engaging the starter (engine was flooded). Once we got her started, she ran like a champ. We were using a temporary gas tank, so we only drove a short distance. The engine quit a couple of times after getting back in the yard-the previous start attempts used a lot of gas. Each time, the engine restarted immediately-stop the coach and press the starter button.
After the demonstration, Dad left and Gene and I went about doing engine runs on two of the coaches in long term storage and updated the vehicle logs. I collected the parts and service manuals related to the General Motors Model TGH-3102 coach series (OPT 135 is that series) to familiarize myself with the systems layouts so the various systems can be tested and serviced. All of the major systems work (engine, drivetrain, air brakes). It's the thing like headlights, wipers and interior lights that generally need checking. The only big mechanical task is to remove the gas tank, purge it and put a new liner in it. No air conditioner to worry with-the 135 was one of the last coaches delivered to Old Pueblo Transit that did not have air conditioning.
After the demonstration, Dad left and Gene and I went about doing engine runs on two of the coaches in long term storage and updated the vehicle logs. I collected the parts and service manuals related to the General Motors Model TGH-3102 coach series (OPT 135 is that series) to familiarize myself with the systems layouts so the various systems can be tested and serviced. All of the major systems work (engine, drivetrain, air brakes). It's the thing like headlights, wipers and interior lights that generally need checking. The only big mechanical task is to remove the gas tank, purge it and put a new liner in it. No air conditioner to worry with-the 135 was one of the last coaches delivered to Old Pueblo Transit that did not have air conditioning.