As part of the construction of new third-rail beams for the 36, several new metal brackets are needed to hold the copper buss fuses in place, in case they blow out. These are attached to the wooden beam with a couple of nails. (I keep meaning to take a picture of what they look like when installed.) But you can see how rusty the one spare original is.So the Hicks Iron Works had its first new order in several years, after Rod ordered the metal blanks we needed. 
I also was able to borrow a small sledge hammer for flattening the steel, having had no use for such a device as a homeowner. The 180º bend is the only real challenge in this process. The work went quickly after a brief learning curve, and we now have all ten done, except for drilling the holes for the nails, which I'll do on the Museum's drill press.
I also was able to borrow a small sledge hammer for flattening the steel, having had no use for such a device as a homeowner. The 180º bend is the only real challenge in this process. The work went quickly after a brief learning curve, and we now have all ten done, except for drilling the holes for the nails, which I'll do on the Museum's drill press. 
But say, speaking of homework, that made me think of an interesting physics problem. In the figure, a uniform bar is bent 180º. What is the maximum ratio of L/R such that the bar will balance as shown? I want an exact expression for the answer. The first person to answer correctly gets fame, adulation, and a chance to help install them.
