January 25, 2018
Work Underway on Sanders Train Exhibit
Thanks to the generous gift from Amanda and Brint Ryan of Dallas, work is underway on the installation and reconstruction of the Sanders model train layout. Work began in earnest in the 3,000 sq. ft. space at the Frisco Discovery Center just after the holidays. The City of Frisco will provide several improvements to the space, which will take place before the layout is actually installed. Improvements include painting, drywall work, and additional electrical service. 
 
The City, through its Community Development Corporation, has generously provided funding for painting the upper walls and ceiling in a matte finish “inkwell” black which will reduce the cavernous effect of the 30 ft. ceiling. The City also provided contracted services to fill in doorways along the south wall to allow for the spectacular mural that accompanies the layout as a backdrop. Additional electrical service was also brought into the room for lighting. The above work was completed in mid-January, allowing for the next phase of spatial improvements funded by the Ryan family. 
 
Next is installation of the overhead lighting grid which will support over 100 state-of-the-art LED lighting fixtures. Work on the grid was completed last week, and our electrical contractor is now installing the wiring and receptacles for the fixtures. The actual fixtures will be installed at a later date once the layout has been reconstructed. Great care will be given to placement and focusing of each fixture. 
 
The end product will be stunning illumination of the layout and its many colorful features. Designed by Freeman Ryan Design (FRD) of Australia, a long-time supporter of the Museum, the lighting will create dramatic effects, cycling from daylight to dark with colorful hues at dawn and dusk. The system will be installed by Wild West Lighting of Charlotte, who worked with FRD in the creation of the Miracle on the Hudson exhibit at the Carolinas Aviation Museum.  
 
The next phase of work is one of the more challenging aspects of the project – reproduction of the beautifully hand-painted mural backdrop at the Sanders residence. With no way to actually remove it from the walls, photo reproduction became the best option. Frank Boudewijn of Signage Systems in Dallas took on the daunting task of creating huge digital files of photographic images of the mural. He is spending many hours at his computer cleaning up and splicing the images for eventual printing onto vinyl to be applied to the walls. We will cover this fascinating portion of the project in the near future. 
 
Actual layout reconstruction is scheduled to begin in mid-February, following application of the mural. We will provide periodic updates as work progresses on this exciting project. Look for an opening in late spring/early summer this year.
Jane Sanders poses in her home with the hand-painted mural that made up the background of the family's G-scale model train layout. The layout is now in storage in Frisco awaiting reconstruction at the Frisco Discovery Center.

Contractors apply black paint to the upper walls and ceiling of the Frisco Discovery Center space (left). The finished product at right leaves a 14 ft. distance between the floor and the painted surface. The white portion of the walls will display the mural backdrop, which includes spectacular images of the American Southwest and downtown Dallas.
Several layout panels, along with boxes of trains, are stored in the Frisco Discovery Center awaiting reassembly. In the foreground are the locomotive repair facilities depicted in the New Mexico portion of the layout. Some of the structures were packed separately.
Heavy Lifting...

Historic Santa Fe Locomotives Now on Home Rails
Baldwin DS44-1000 is about to be placed on home rails in Frisco.
After several weeks of rain delays, the four locomotives gifted from the California State Railroad Museum were unloaded from flat cars Friday, January 19. So, what does it take to lift a 260,000 lb. diesel-electric locomotive? Enter, Crocker Crane. The Irving-based company has done heavy lifting for the Museum for over two decades. 
 
The much anticipated lift was performed by two 210-ton hydraulic cranes, along with five semi-trucks loaded with counterweights, outrigger bases, spreader bars, and related rigging. A total of 11 workers from Crocker, including two crane operators, eight riggers, and foreman Mike Jump, made quick work of unloading the four locomotives. The cranes were set up in one location, while the Museum’s EMD F-7A locomotive moved the four flat cars in succession to facilitate unloading. 
 
In fact, the F-7A gained a running mate as part of the unloading process. The first locomotive to be lifted was ex-Southern Pacific F-7B #8103, which was briefly set on the ground while the A unit pulled forward in the clear. The B unit was then placed on the track and positioned behind the A. The matched set will make a stunning pair once the B unit is restored to Santa Fe livery. 
 
The three historic Santa Fe diesel switchers were then unloaded. Starting at the north end, each locomotive was lifted, while the flat cars were then pulled to the south, allowing for each unit to be placed on open track in front of them. This made for the most efficient use of crane time, thereby reducing the overall cost of the project. Great care was given to lifting each of the elderly locomotives. Since they are equipped with friction-type wheel bearings, each journal box was opened and inspected before the full weight of each locomotive was placed on the track. This is to ensure that the bearings had not spun out of position while no weight was on the axles. 
 
With all four of the locomotives now on home rails, the move is now complete and the former California State Railroad Museum equipment is officially part of the permanent collection of the Museum of the American Railroad. The remaining funds from the Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust will be applied towards cosmetic restoration of the locomotives with the three Santa Fe units being given priority. The first to be painted will be Fairbanks Morse H12-44 locomotive #608, which shows the greatest need for refinishing. Graffiti will be removed from Santa Fe #2404 an EMC NW2, and Santa Fe #2260 a Baldwin DS44-1000. With these locomotives displaying their original paint from the 1960s in relatively good condition, a few more years of conservation will ensure their originality. Further details of their restoration, along with the F-7B will be made available shortly.  
 
We are indebted to TTX for their patience in making their flat cars available during extended periods of loading and unloading. Not only did they provide the cars at a reduced rate, they also waived detainage charges during layovers at both museums. We are also indebted to Union Pacific Railroad for moving the cars from Sacramento to Stockton at a greatly reduced rate. Union Pacific has been a long-time friend and supporter of the Museum, dating back to the days at Fair Park when it was served by Missouri Pacific.

For more information on the locomotives, please click here .
EMD F-7B is turned 180 degrees before being coupled to the Museum's F-7A
Fairbanks Morse H12-44 is steadily lifted off a flat car which will then be pulled out from under it.
The 1948 Baldwin registers a combined 251,000 lbs. on the crane's strain gauges.
Led by Mike Jump, Crocker's riggers prepare to lift EMD NW2 from TTX flat car.
Farewell to a Dear Friend
No non-profit museum endeavor is successful without the passion of a few core individuals. Richard Wainscott was, without question, part of the heart and soul of the Museum of the American Railroad. We are sad to report that he passed away on Tuesday at the age of 66. He left us all too soon, but his imprint on the Museum and the successes we have enjoyed are due in part to his enduring volunteerism.   
 
Richard’s fascination with all things electrical and mechanical led to a passion for railroads for most of his life. An avid reader, he developed an extensive knowledge of the technology behind train operations that was unmatched. He went on to apply his knowledge and skills to a worthy cause that would benefit countless individuals through community service.
 
Beginning in 1976, after helping with the American Freedom Train which celebrated America’s bicentennial, he volunteered at the Museum of the American Railroad (formerly the Age of Steam exhibit in Fair Park). He would play an indispensable role in the Museum’s operations for another 42 years.
 
Richard’s knowledge of operating systems on vintage locomotives and rail passenger cars was unsurpassed. His intelligence and ever-present quick wit served as constant motivation to everyone around him. He was an asset not only to the Museum, but the entire railway preservation field in general. He served on the Museum’s board of trustees, holding various officer positions including Treasurer and Chief Mechanical Officer until his passing. The Museum community lost a valuable resource and a friend & colleague loved by many. 
 
Richard’s wife Sharon has devoted many years of service to the Museum as well.  We extend our most sincere condolences to the Wainscott family. Their son Steven has grown up around the Museum and continues his father’s legacy today. He has absorbed much of Richard’s vast knowledge of electrical systems and recently completed his student runs as the Museum’s locomotive engineer.

A final "adios," and thanks for touching so many lives.

Richard's service will take place Friday, January 26 at 10am at the Grove Hill Funeral Home in Dallas. For more information, click here .
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 The Museum of the American Railroad is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable corporation chartered in the state of Texas in 1962. The mission of the Museum is to enrich the lives of others through meaningful, relevant programs and exhibits that relate the history & technology of the Railroad and its profound impact on American life and culture.