RGS Goose 4 Comes to Ridgway for Restoration
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It is now official that we have a signed formal agreement with the Telluride Volunteer Fire Dept (TVFD) to bring Galloping Goose No. 4 to Ridgway for a comprehensive non-operating restoration. The TVFD deserves a big thank you for keeping No. 4 in condition such that it is still possible to do this restoration after 55 years. No. 4 is the only Goose that has not been restored or otherwise modified. It is therefore the best information we have about what the Geese were like in 1951 when the RGS shut down operation. When we are finished in about 3 years, the plan is for it to return to Telluride. We will do the work and the TVFD will pay for the materials. The move is scheduled for May 29th. We will get started during Work Week in June. The first phases will be to research for photos from summer of 1950 for our prototype, document existing condition with photos and drawings, determine parts that will have to be acquired and materials that will be replaced (all the wood), and carefully begin disassembly of the rear box. We plan to do the same rear box job that was done by the Galloping Goose Historical Society on No. 5. They have been very helpful in providing information on what and how they did their work. Our restoration efforts are really coming of age. We hope many of you will get on board and help with this project. YOU CAN FOLLOW THE MOVE FROM TELLURIDE TO RIDGWAY AND THE RESTORATION PROGRESS BY SCROLLING THROUGH THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS |
1) May 15, 2008 in Telluride. We oiled all sixteen axles and then pulled the goose back about one foot and all 16 axels turned!
2) The following series of photos show the loading process in Telluride on May 29, 2008
3) Goose #4 pauses on Dallas Divide for the first time in 56 years.
4) Arrival in Ridgway.
5) Wayne body separated from back and center truck removed.
6) Bolster removed from center truck.
7) Removal of rear truck.
8) Removal of the interior siding begins
9) Removal of the outside metal sheeting
10) Siding removal continues. The box will be completely rebuilt and then the siding reapplied.
11) The superstructure of the freight box has been removed and next the floor was removed.
12) The deck construction is shown in this photo. The base is made up of second-hand auto chassis U-channels filled with wood. Note the bow in each channel. The wood was shaped not with a band saw BUT WITH AN ADZE. The adze marks can be clearly seen. Next came 1 x 12s run at a 45 degree angle to the U-channels and finally tongue and groove flooring running perpendicular to the u-channels. There were also 2 x 4s between the ends of each U-channel and a 2 x 4s were bolted to the bottom ends of the U-channels
13) The freight box has now been completely cut down to the base and the base primed. We will continue the project next spring with the rebuilding of the freight box.
14) Construction of the new freight box began on Saturday May 23, 2009. The wooden inserts are in the U-channels and work begins on the wooden frame. Don Kellogg, Tom Hillhouse, Keith Koch and Michael O'Connell.
15) The frame is complete and the first piece of sub-flooring is attached (5/23/09). Michael O'Connell, Don Kellogg, Tom Hillhouse, Karl Schaeffer and Keith Koch,
16) The sub-flooring is completed and addition of the flooring is well underway (5/23/09). Keith Koch, Don Kellogg, Tom Hillhouse and Don Paulson.
17) Flooring completed and wall construction begins (6/3/09) Bill Pratt, Myron Matz, Michael O'Connnell and Tom Hillhouse
18) Two walls are up (6/05/09). Tom HillHouse, Michael O'Connell and Stuart Harrah
19) Three walls are up (6/05/09). Tom Hillhouse, Michael O'Connell and Stuart Harrah
20) Work continues on the motor (6/03/09). During work week all the pistons were removed and the transmission was successfully shifted through all gears. Don Kellogg and John Weiss.
