For this month’s report we’ll look at the installation of the windows in coach 9. Each window has four steel leaf springs, two on each of the shorter sides. These springs hold the windows in place, once they are inserted into the openings in the sides and ends of the coach. You can see the result in these photos.

Next, finished wooden molding strips are fastened to the inside of the coach to form part of the tracks in which windows will slide. Once it is determined that the windows are sliding freely, the hardware is attached to lift the windows and latch them open. These brass pieces are replicas of the hardware that is found in coach 3.

During the Annual Picnic in August, Coach 9 was rolled out so everyone could see the progress that has been made up to this point.

We are well underway in our efforts to unlock a matching grant of $16,000 furnished by the Narrow Gauge Preservation Foundation. Donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar, so any help you can provide will be doubled in effectiveness.

Remember, we need a total of $120,000 to Finish Coach 9 to the Nines! These expenses include paying for the $30,000 paint, varnish, and gold leaf finish, chandeliers (at $3500 each), seats ($850 each), Miller Safety Platform and coupling system, Wood’s Safety Gates, passenger trucks with vacuum brakes, hat racks, and many other final details. If support is not received, this project is in danger of stalling – so please help if you are able to do so.