John finished restoring the first window on WP668, our backyard caboose,
last night. There are four more vertically sliding windows plus the
bay windows that slide side-to-side. This first window told us much about
how WP668’s windows were put together and how we can fix them up while respecting
their history.
Part of our work is research. For example, although most of the glass in WP668
was destroyed by vandals during storage, the few original pieces of window glass
are etched with the brand Duolite. A search found the
Types of Auto Glass Offered by PPG in 1957 web page which says:
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“Published to the Trade by PPG in 1957
Pittsburgh Safety Glass is manufactured to meet the exacting requirements of the American Standard Safety Code for Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles Operating on Land Highways (A.S.A. Z26.1 – 1950) …
DUOLITE SAFETY SHEET GLASS
Two pieces of Pennvernon Sheet Glass of similar thickness laminated together with an interlayer of Vinyl plastic to provide greatest elasticity and resistance to breakage at all temperatures. Safety Sheet Glass does not have the true vision of Safety Plate Glass, but does have an equal safety factor. Duolite is not recommend for use in windshields as here true vision is necessary for safe driving. Thickness 1/4″.”
WP668 was originally built as a boxcar in 1916 and converted to caboose service
during World War II. Since 1950 is date of the referenced safety standard, this
probably means that all of the glass in WP668 was replaced with the new safety
glazing within ten or twenty years after its 1943 conversion from boxcar to caboose.
The sheets of Duolite glass are heavier and thicker than regular glass and the edges
are lined with bubbles.
In addition to restoring the first window, John has made screen inserts which
keep the air flowing through WP668 (with few bugs). Here are photos of the
window work in progress:
Duolite glass brand (backwards)
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Original sash, no trim
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Restored window sash
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John and new window screen insert
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Inside window view
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Window with screen
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John installing sill
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John in WP668 window
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WP668 Caboose
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Inside WP668
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Eleanor Dickinson WP668 Portrait
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Before trim install
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Window trim install
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New trim done
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Just needs putty
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John back to work
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Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson
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