On Friday, December 31, a small crew came out to accomplish the task at hand. Dwight Maxey, Colin Mellin, Kendall Crouch, Tyler Seeley, Tanner Seeley and Paul Brown set out to figure out why engine #103 would not crank even after replacing one of the batteries that failed. The group did a test to check one of the main cables connecting the batteries together, but this didn’t point us to the problem. On a suggestion from Museum Friend Mark Williams, the group did a simple load test on each battery, and discovered that we had another bad battery in the set of eight. Once that battery was isolated, we were able to hook up the battery charger to replenish the charge on the remaining batteries enough to attempt to start the engine.

While awaiting this charging time, Kendall, Colin, Tyler and Tanner were busy removing all of the Christmas lights from the train set. The group also looked at some ideas for improving the power generator and Christmas light arrangement for next years trains. Then after a quick lunch break, we made an attempt to start the locomotive with the bad battery cut out. We were lucky, and the engine started on it’s own, without a “jump”! We were able to run the engine to warm up and circulate fluids, as well as recharge the remaining good batteries. Plans are being made to purchase another battery, which will give us yet another project to complete at the Museum!

I have included a couple of pictures I was able to capture today.

– Paul