Rio Grande Explorations

 

RGX IV

January 6-8, 2022

 

While Akin Brothers Locomotive Works continues the engine & transmission rebuilt for RGX IV, I finally got my project list whittled down enough that I could spend a few days working on the car. The first evening I removed nearly everything from the front as well as the glove box and wiper motors from the inside the cab.

 

Items removed:

-Front Pull Bar

-Horn

-Front Light

-Front Tool Box

-Windshield Wipers

-Windshield Wiper Motors

-Glove Box (inside)

 

The first part of this report is essentially a photo archive so that I can put the car back together when the painting is complete.

 

The second part is what I got done in the few hours I had. What was supposed to be about 12 hours of work time over 4 days, ended up only being about 4. But, at least the ball is rolling now.

 

Day 1

The "glove box"

It needs to be repaired, sanded, and painted before reinstallation.

 

I assume that's a radio bracket on the left.

 

Windshield Wiper Motor

There are 2. Both need to be replaced.

 

Overhead shot of Wiper Motor

 

 

 

THe front end before I started removing appurtenances.

 

 

 

 

Exterior shot of Wiper and Motor

 

Horn bracket

 

 

Front tool box.

The bottom is 2/3rds rusted out. I'll use the remnant to fabricate a new & larger box.

 

 

 

 

 

Front pull bar removed

 

 

 

Noah helped me with a few stubborn bolts and then helped clean up.

He will definitely help more as the work progresses... and that's most of the point of this project: sharing with family & friends.

 

 

Glove Box removed

 

Wiper Motor removed

 

This is one of 4 lift bars.

It is bent so badly that it can't be used, but I've got a plan to fix it.

More on this later...

 

Wiper Motors and Glove Box removed.

All that's left to remove in the cab is some cabling and the seats.

 

Front end with nearly everything removed.

This was the end of Day 1

 

 

Day 2

The gent that I bought the motorcars from, sold these crossbucks to my buddy, Everett. I've been storing them with the plan to eventually take them to Long Leaf for installation on the RR&G. So, here they are, mounted on new galvanized pipe and ready to be used again.

 

I don't know where they came from exactly. The previous owner believed they were from the SP somewhere in the Houston area.

 

With the crossbuck project finally complete, I turned my attention back to RGX IV.

I tested out the new DeWalt sander with pleasing results.

 

Then Noah took a turn.

 

With this small test area completely sanded, we took turns applying an aluminum primer.

 

 

DONE!

 

For now...

 

 

 

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