Ep 2. Off the Rails

Off the Rails - American Restoration Season 7 Episode 2

In this episode of American Restoration, the team at Rick's Restorations take on a unique project that involves restoring a rusty old train engine. The owner of the engine, a train enthusiast, has had the engine sitting in his backyard for years and is eager to see it brought back to life.

Upon arrival at the owner's backyard, the Rick's team is met with a severe case of rust and corrosion. The engine's boiler is heavily damaged, and the team must find a way to repair it without compromising the integrity of the engine.

Right off the bat, the team strategizes on how to tackle the restoration of the engine. The engine is approximately 100 years old, and most of its parts have deteriorated. The most challenging part of the process is choosing which parts to replace and which parts to restore.

As the team begins the restoration process, they discover several challenges. They are faced with problems ranging from missing parts to rust, ensuring that the engine is functional and structurally sound. However, with years of experience in restoration, the team at Rick's Restorations is up for the challenge.

One prominent challenge is locating some original parts for the train engine. The team reaches out to several collectors but is unsuccessful in finding the parts they need. They move on to the next option to fabricate new parts, which turns out successful.

The team also has to deal with several structural issues on the engine. For instance, the engine's wheels cannot spin without tipping over. They must find a way to support the engine's weight to keep it upright while still allowing the wheels to rotate freely.

As the restoration progresses, the team faces one more problem: how to repair the engine's horn. The original horn is no longer functional, and they have to figure out how to incorporate a new horn that retains the spirit of the original. With some creativity and expertise, the team comes up with a fantastic tweak that ultimately works.

Over time, the team makes significant progress in restoring the train engine. They repair the boiler and replace various rusted parts, including the tender and the wheels. The team also incorporates historically accurate details such as new brass work and a fresh paint job to give the engine its original appearance.

As the episodes come to a close, the team presents the engine in all its restored glory to the owner. The reaction of the owner is overwhelming, and he can't believe the transformation of the engine. It's a moving moment and showcases the rewarding aspect of restoration that the team at Rick's Restorations enjoys.

In conclusion, the American Restoration season 7 episode Off the Rails highlights the exceptional skill, creativity, and attention to detail of the team at Rick's Restorations. Throughout the episode, the team encounters several challenges but overcomes them with their extensive experience and knowledge. It's an episode that showcases the intricacies of restoration and the passion that Rick's Restoration team has for their work.