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PROJECT   6211
PAGE UPDATED:   FEBRUARY 11, 2021

This page chronicles the rehabilitation of ex-Boston & Maine Railroad Budd Rail Diesel Car 6211. The project was carried out by the Town of Bedford with assistance from Friends of Bedford Depot Park. It was funded by a $125,000 appropriation from Bedford's Community Preservation Fund. The project was substantially completed in June 2009.

Depot Park plazaRDC 6211 exterir

• What is the purpose of Project 6211? Click here for an explanation.
• Review the general scope of work for the rehabilitation project.
• Did #6211 operate on the Lexington Branch? Oh, yes! Here's one photo from FBDP's archives.
• View a schematic and a description of the Rail Diesel Car from a Budd Company manual.
• For historical information about RDC #6211, please visit this page.
• Click here to view a YouTube video of the January 1998 move of RDC 6211 from Billerica Shops to Bedford Depot Park.
• Watch a 2003 video of the car's move across South Road to the Minuteman Bikeway terminus.
• The car's interior may be viewed on this web camera.
• See a panoramic photo of the car's baggage room.
• View a slide show about the car's renovations. The page will open in a separate window.
• Click on the below photo of #6211 to read pages from a pocket Operator's Manual for the Budd Rail Diesel Car.
  • Highlights about the restoration of Rail Diesel Car 6211
    RDC Operator's Manual
Key Work Completed
 
TASK
STATUS
1.
Clean and deliver ceiling panels to car; lay out inside car; determine quantity missing.
done
2.
Remove broken screws from window ledges.
done
3. Secure/install ceiling mouldings.
done
4. Remove bathroom door and trim.
done
5. Remove and discard fiberglass duct piece.
done
6. Remove loose ladder rungs; reinstall just below number light.
done
7. Remove old air gauges; install new air gauges and false piping.
done
8. Free up controllers; lubricate with spray grease.
done
9. Install controller covers.
done
10. Paint and install horns.
done
11. Install luggage racks.
done
12. Install radiator covers.
done
13. Install refurbished seats.
done
14.
Hang ceiling panels.
done
15. Lubricate door latches.
done
16. Install number boards.
done
17. Remove ceiling air registers.
done
18. Remove and paint vestibule light fixtures.
done
19. Remove the small window in side of car.
done
20. Remove marker light frames
done
21. Remove sliding window frame in side door
done
22. Remove air return register
done
23.
Install electrical cabinet door locks
done
24.
Install ceiling panels with restored air registers
done
25.
Install side door drop sashes and replace rusted trim screws
done
26.
 Install trap door thresholds
done
27.
Install new window trim
done
28.
Clean reflectors inside baggage rack brackets
done
29.
Install replacement marker light lenses
done
30.
Remove paint from baggage rack light lenses
done
31.
Remove debris from inside car
done
32.
Install baggage rack light lenses
done
33. Paint air gauges
done
34.
Seal air ducts and ceiling trim with silicone
done
34.
Prepare luggage rack brackets for installation of bracket adapters
done
34.
Install alumninum wall panels in Baggage Compartment
done
34.
Install luggage racks
done
34.
Apply number board with JB Weld and screws
done
34.
Vacuum electrical cabinets
done
34.
Vacuum window sills
done
34.
Vacuum vestibule light compartments
done
34.
Vacuum vestibule floor crevices
done
34.
Install engine compartment end cover
done
34.
Install heat pump assembly
done
34.
Install side door latches where needed
done
34.
Install air filter pan
done
34.
Install fuel filler
done
35.
Install sound system
done

Former B&M employee Dan O'Brien was hired by Bedford to provide direction on this cosmetic restoration project. Although the later stages of RDC 6211's renovation work was performed by contractors and DPW workers, a significant portion of the overall project was done by local volunteers. We are grateful for the important help furnished by these people.
Brewster Ames
Thomas Dickey
Richard Elliott
Arthur Ellis
John Filios
John Hill
Neil Leary
Brooke Moncrieff
Philip Perry
Barry Sampson
James Shea
Carl Silvestrone
Edward Stickney

PROJECT UPDATES -- For archival purposes only; these tasks have been completed.

The more recent information is at the top of the list. Start at the bottom if you wish to review these items in sequence.
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