The trucks have been completely torn down and individual components are being refurbished, while orders are being finalized for new wheels, axles and gears. The traction motors are being completely rewound at a Seattle motor shop, airbrake parts are arriving from the various vendors, and the Goodman control apparatus is expected to arrive by late September. The new wheels ordered for the truck refurbishment work are due to arrive the final week of August, and the first two traction motors are now being refurbished. With both underframes essentially complete, work has focused on completing the remainder of the steel frame on the first car. The photos below were taken in September as the work progressed.
Work also continues on the trucks, motors, seats and other components.
Here are a few photos of the progress. Frame number two should likewise be completed in another 3-4 weeks. Work is also progressing on design and fabrication of the wooden components for the two cars. A roof section has now been added on the short mockup section of the car which was created to test out different fabrication concepts. Builder Historic Railway Restoration has also arranged the loan of numerous detail pieces from surviving car 538, thanks to the Orange Empire Railway Museum.