I went up to the museum with voltmeters, ammeters etc. I thought that the charging system had a short in it because the batteries were totally discharged after running in July 6. I put a 30 amp fuse in line with the alternator. I started the engine and measured the voltage of the alternator. I got 10 volts. I called Steve to ask if I could take the alternator to NAPA to have it tested. He said go ahead. NAPA’s tester was broken so I tried Autozone in Erie. Autozone asked what car is it out of and I asked what does it matter. They said they had to put it in the computer on the tester. It turns out that they couldn’t test it but knew of a rebuild shop in Erie. I took it to the rebuild shop. They tested it and gave me an estimate of $ 125. to rebuild it so I left it at the rebuilders to be rebuilt.

Plymouth runs

Steve K. worked to obtain two old industrial locomotives from possible abandonment or scrapping. Finally after 8 years of waiting and negotiations the locomotives were to be transported to Lake Shore Railway Museum in North East Penna. The 1949 Plymouth had been re-engined with a Cummins diesel. We did not know if the engine ran. We did not know what condition the diesel fuel was in being maybe 10-15 years in the tank.
This year 4th of July was on a Friday. I went up to the museum. I brought 2 12 volt batteries with me. I was to meet the owner Steve there. I added antifreeze to the radiator. I added oil to the engine. I connected the batteries to the terminals. I drained about 2 cups of black fuel off the bottom of the tank. I waited for Steve to come. At about 12 noon I asked Mark to try the key switch. I wanted to hear the starter and engine to see if the batteries would turn it over. As recommended I had made a piece of plywood that fit in the air cleaner in case the diesel ‘ran away’. Mark turned the key. The starter sounded good and the engine even tried to start. I was sure it would not run away. I went in the cab and started the engine. It sounded real good, oil pressure was good and ammeter showed charge. After initial excitement about it running we tried to put it in gear and move it. It would not move. The transmission and clutch all seemed to operate correctly but when you let the clutch out nothing happened. I left about 2;30pm. Steve came later and got to start and hear the engine run.
I got to think about the clutch and transmission for a day and thought the throw out bearing was stuck on its collar keeping the clutch from engaging. I went back to the museum Sunday July 6th . I envisioned the throw out bearing sliding on the collar and thought it was rusty. I thought I would clean up the collar behind bearing and force it back and clean in front of it. There was a grease fitting on the throw out bearing and other clutch shafts. I greased everything. I got a big pinch bar and forced the throw out bearing back. I worked the clutch about 50 times to get the grease in place. Ray got to the museum and I told im that I wanted to try the Plymouth. We put the hand brake on and took out the chocks. I was connected to the 25 ton GE locomotive. The Plymouth worked well. Ray called Steve and Steve came over to the museum. Steve operated the Plymouth for about an hour. After a while I noticed that the ammeter was showing a big discharge. I turned the engine off and the batteries were dead. The charging system needs looked at or tested.