Monon DS-50 Restoration Work Update Mar 12, 2022

[Rick Berg]

Monon DS-50 Restoration Work Update

Update by Les Beckman
Mar 12, 2022

Les Beckman photos except photo 6, which was by Tom Rainford.


The removal of the smashed cab of Monon DS-50 is nearing the end.  Last week, the bottom side portions of the cab were removed as can be seen in this photo of one of the sides laying on the shop floor of the museum.




Kevin Kennedy is shown cleaning up one of the parts from the unit.




Mark Belmonte is cleaning up another part from the DS-50.




Removal of the last section of cab wall where it connected to the hood of the EMD was undertaken and the heavy piece of angle did not give up easily.  John Wotkun is shown using a Sawzall in tight quarters in an effort to cut through the last piece of steel.




With the steel finally cut, the crane lifted the last piece of wall up and out of the cab where it was finally lowered by David Miller and set up against the other piece of the smashed cab leaning against the body of the SW-1.




With the wall removed, work moved to another piece to be taken off as John is shown holding the torch (left) while David checks for bolts to be removed while Les Beckman looks on.




Here is the appearance of the rear end of DS-50 at the end of the day.  There are still a few parts of wiring that need to be removed, but soon the project will switch to putting the replacement cab, and all the miscellaneous parts that have been removed, back on the unit.




Finally, what is it?  You may recall the cleanup of the unit's fuel tank shown in an earlier report.  Well, the tank was set up on its side so that dried oil on the bottom, can also be removed.





Much more still to do, but we're getting there!

[Chuck Stewart]

Thanks for the update.  Keep ‘em coming!  😁