CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB
 

NEXT WEEK _____________________________________________________
Monday, April 7 - noon
 
Topic:  Locomotive Restoration - Mark Ray, Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM)
 
You remember the old steam locomotives of long ago that were responsible for building and expanding this country both economically and physically.  Whatever has become of these powerful steam driven giants?  Now that diesel locomotives are used on a regular basis today, what has happened to the powerhouses of the past.  Mark Ray from TVA and member of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) will be answering these questions and more as he makes a presentation about how and why the TVRM has such an interest in the restoration of these locomotives.  He will be giving us a brief history of locomotives as well as a more detailed description of different boilers.  There are several regulations both existing and new to consider during restoration that he will cover.  He will give us the low down on the 2001 rebuild and explain how such restoration initiatives are funded and their costs.  If the Lionel train sets are not enough entertainment for you, maybe you should be helping to restore the real thing.  TVRM is a non-profit educational organization.  Membership is open to anyone who is breathing and has a pulse.  No skills required.  They'll teach you.  Tools are provided.  Also, come to the April 12th picnic to see how you can join the fun.  Hurry, the deadline for the April 12th picnic is April 10th.  The flyer for the picnic to make a reservation can be found at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org/TVRM_picnic_flyer.pdf .
 
April Invocation Chairperson:  Fisher Campbell
 
Menu:  Beef pot roast w/carrots & potatoes, Tossed salad, Broccoli casserole, Steamed vegetable medley, and Cherry cobbler
 
 
OUR PREVIOUS MEETING _________________________________________

 

Beth Brock welcomed everyone to the tour of the Astec, Inc. Asphalt Equipment Manufacturing Plant at 4101 Jerome Avenue.  A short video explained the hot mix asphalt equipment we would see being built in their plant.  Beth Brock led us through the manufacturing plant along with their design engineer, Kevin Risley, who told us about the double barrel mixer.  Catherine Sutton explained how the bag house works and showed how the bags are attached.  Richard Givens also walked through the plant with us as we wore headsets tuned to Beth’s microphone.

Ninety-five percent of American roads are paved with hot mix asphalt (HMA). Astec builds the facilities which produce HMA for the world’s road builders.  They are making three sizes of plants:  1) Stationary – intended for a permanent location and ships in about 22 truck loads, 2) Relocate able – may be at the same location about 6 months, and 3) Portable – ships in about 6 loads.  AC doesn’t stand for air conditioning at Astec.  AC stands for Asphalt Cement, that black gooey stuff that sticks the little rocks together.  Their equipment accepts new and recycled pavement for aggregate. 

 

Those attending the tour were given bumper stickers “ASPHALT IS SMOOTHER THAN CONCRETE -ASTEC” and the Hot Mix Magazine published by Astec Industries.  You can see some of the asphalt mixing and storage equipment on their web site at:

http://www.astecinc.com

  

Respectfully submitted by Judy Driggans

 

Check our website at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org for meeting summaries prior to last Monday.
 
A very special thanks to Judy Driggans for providing this meeting summary.
 
SPECIAL FIELD TRIP OPPORTUNITY _____________________________
 
The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) has been so gracious as to invite the Chattanooga Engineers Club to join them for the East Chattanooga Back Shop Open House, Spring Picnic, and Special Steam-Powered Train Trip on Saturday April 12, 2003 starting at 2 pm.  This is a very unique and exciting opportunity you won't want to miss.  There will be opportunities to see how they restore these beautiful yet powerful machines. You'll get to see steam locomotive drivers machined, as well as shop demonstrations including needle scaling, parts cleaning, welding, grinding, smokebox installation, painting, wheel turning, and locomotive frame alignment.  There will be diesel locomotive cab rides for early arrivals.  There are just too many activities to list here, so please see the flyer for this event located on our website at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org/TVRM_picnic_flyer.pdf .  A reservation is required by April 10th, and contact information for making such a reservation is on the flyer as well.  I hope that you will come be a part of this special day.
 
FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS ___________________________________
 
April 14:  Teen Driver Safety Program - Paul D. Snyder, DuPont
 
April 21:  UTC Senior Design Projects - Rick Keyser, UTC
 
April 28:  "Six Sigma" - Engineering Problems Evaluation Program - Barry Totten, Y-12 National Security Complex (Oak Ridge)
 
May 5:  Power Delivery Issues - Mike Ingram, TVA
 

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________
Unless we note otherwise, all of our presentation meetings are held at the Cellar Restaurant in the Tallan Building, Union Square Downtown Chattanooga from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Our meeting room and luncheon service are open by 11:30 a.m. Lunch buffet is $10.00 per person (inclusive). No reservation is required. Free parking is available in the Days Inn Motel (on Carter St. and MLK Blvd,) courtesy of the Days Inn management. When you park there, be sure to place a note on your dashboard indicating you are attending the Engineers Club meeting.
 
 
QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS ? _____________________________________
If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Brad Baucom at 423-648-3582 or e-mail him at bradbaucom@comcast.net. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org .