Fairmont Model 59 Series C-4 (1944) 

• owned by the Austin Steam Train Association

• being restored by volunteer John Mandell

(what it should look like when completed.)

The original Fairmont manufacturer's Certificate

Some Fairmont 59 documents


The BEFORE pictures:

 


 

Current Progress snapshots
Sept, 2006
Dog house & wood pieces designed.  After completion, all wood will be replaced with the "real thing" (Oak, Fir, yellow pine), according to Fairmont documentation.  The engine is next!  (Better photos anticipated!)

Aug, 2006
Assembly, parts painted, engine not completed:

Brake rigging: 

Belt drive components:

Feb, 2006:
Trial assembly, parts primed:

Feb, 2006:
Belt tensioner:

CURRENT  STATUS

    ENGINE:

All engine parts are now in hand and just awaiting time to be reassembled.  Stay tuned!

• completely disassembled & cleaned. Major components look fine.  Piston pressed out.  Piston & cylinder will do as is.  Head studs had to be machined out (it actually fit on my milling machine)
• Crank journal is rusted but has been built up & reground by a local crankshaft shop
• Timer & C5 carburetor kindly refurbished by Carey Boney (THANKS).
• New crankshaft ball bearings provided by Charles Norris (Columbus, GA)- THANKS!
• For Fairmont fans: the connecting rod is the older, steel variety and wrist pin is 3/4" - all OK.
  I would really like to get some better connecting rod bolts (PN A1398)
• All other new or NOS engine parts have been acquired (rings, ring seals, studs, gaskets, C5 carb, etc.)
• Ed Kelly's Z Clinic (Jollyville, TX) has been generous to provide a bead blasting cabinet.
• I bought a "rebuilt" ROC engine (eBay), so I do have a backup propulsion plan and/or parts.
• Water hopper refurbished: 2 bullet holes patched, 18 broken bolts machined out (phew!)
• Condenser need some work - I got a newer condenser to use.
• Gas tank has been replaced (thanks, Les King!)
• Engine test stand completed

    Frame & rolling parts:

• Lot's of documenting & clean up work
• "Working frame" made of  Popular to keep entire assembly together.  
  (Final frame will be white oak, once I know where all the holes need to be).
  
• Axles are straight, wheels OK
  
• Axle bearings are not perfect but will do, I think!
• Brake parts (outside the frame) had to all be fabricated.  New brake shoes from Les King.
• Belt tensioner was re-fabricated - it's a bit unique, I think.
  
• Topside frame completed, using as many original steel parts as possible.
• Wood pieces designed and temporary pieces fitted. New wood parts will be made from drawings.
• Seat top designed - will use slats instead of masonite
• Les King had the correct ("rosebud") timer & throttle handles
• Richard Balzen has donated some 14" fenders that can be cleaned up & used
• Don Neale has donated parts for the knife switch and that has been rebuilt & completed
• Acquired (ebay) a Fairmont lantern like one that was originally delivered with the motorcar
  Will build replica No. 6 batteries using labels provided by Dennis Hallworth
• Have decided on "Safety Yellow" from Rustoleum as the color (comments welcome!)

    CREDITS (folks who have been a big help!):

• Ed Kelly - Z-Clinic (Austin, TX) (sand/bead blast equipment)
• Carey Boney - Carburetor help and moral support
• Bruce Pierce - Buzz coil help & advice
• Charles Norris (Columbus GA) - bearings
• Daren Doss - lots of technical & documentation help
• Richard Balzen - fender donation
• Les King - lots of help & parts!
• Don Neale - critical parts for knife switch on the console
• Dennis Hallworth - provided labels for the replica batteries

Below are the remaining items I am currently searching for.  

• Con rod bolts (steel con rod) PN A1398 (2)
  [Dan Brown's bolts are not the correct item :-(  ]

• More hours in the day to work on the motorcar!

(Contributions to this project are made to the Austin Steam Train Association and are tax-deductible.  ASTA will provide a letter confirming the donation.)