Welcome to the blog for the Freight Car Department at the Illinois Railway Museum. Here you will see updates on projects, maintenance and repair schedules and news on pending or proposed acquisitions. Also, our department seems to be the defacto manager of the IRM Woodshop. Stay tuned for notes on projects that include making piles of sawdust.
Our department also does a lot of the artwork and lettering for our restored cars, and in addition to freight cars, has included electric cars, internal combustion, steam locomotives, and steam passenger cars. You may see some of this work posted in the blog.
The images on these blogs are 'thumbnails' only, but if you click on them with the left mouse button, you will see the full image. If there is a project you are interested in, please contact me and we will try to get pics/updates of work our dept may be doing in that area.
To take advantage of the info elsewhere on the IRM website you will also see links to other areas of interest.
Bob Kutella Collection Curator]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080725-0526232008-07-25T00:00:00Z2008-07-25T00:00:00ZWoodshop - July 2008 July 2, 2008
Today was the day we started to bring all the parts together to assemble and mount the drive components for the FAY molder we hope to use later this year. Here, the crew (l to r) is Kirk Warner, John Nelligan, and Victor Humphreys. The A frame is helping lift and position the machine onto the new welded frame.
By the end of the day most everything has the bolts in the right holes, and we are looking forward to plumbing and squaring all the pieces. Victor Humphreys is working on the keyway and motor shaft area.
July 6, 2008
Jenny and Kevin Tudor are restoring and repairing windows in our woodshop. Looks like fun!
July 8, 2008
Today the shop was up and running. Here we see John Faulhaber and Tim Peters along with the camera crew from Channel 47 in Peoria, Il. They were out for an episode for Illinois Adventures. Many other segments were shot at IRM.
July 9, 2008
Henry Vincent is back from vacation and working on new doors for the Illinois Terminal 101. Over his shoulder, Jim Griffith continues on the wood shelf project for the Strahorn Library.
Here we see Henry Vincent using our vintage Delta drill press (circa 1934) to drill the small wooden moldings that hold the glass panels in the above doors. On the table is a clever fixture Henry 'invented'.
Dick Cubbage helped out on the new to us, circa 1880 Fay molder. He was squaring up the pedestals and supports and working on cutting the countershaft to length and then on pulley alignment.
July 13, 2008
Here is a good woodshop shot of Tim Peters feeding our shaper and Jim Meindel 'catching' the milled stock. The product is tongue and groove siding, complete with V groove on the face, for wood el car 1268. We produced over 200 running feet of this special stock, in less than two hours, including set up time.
A very satisfied Tim Peters holds two pirces of the finished siding up to the camera, to show the finished cross section and how well they will fit together on the car. The stack of siding in the background gives you an idea of how much was produced.
July 20, 2008
Here is a Kirk Warner photo of yours truly stainng some woodwork inside the Sand Springs 68. Some pieces were 'cleaned' in place, while some were processed in the woodshop over the last few months.
July 23, 2008
Randall Hicks is enjoying himself fitting and installing a piece of poplar for replacement tack molding. The car is Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee, Silverliner 757.
John Nelligan is inside the Sand Springs 68 with a replacement ceiling panel for a small section of the inside hip ceiling near the No. 1 end.
Volunteers Dick Koch and Olin Anderson are in the wood shop with a load of white oak planks destined for new running boards for our UTLX 17222 tank car. In the backgorund (ignoring the camera) are Pete Galayda and Jim Griffith hard at work on other projects. ]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080725-0520522008-07-25T00:00:00Z2008-07-25T00:00:00ZSignal Display Update Most of the dwarf signals are now supplied with wiring and conduit thanks to Ray and Gerard. Gerard has also been repainting several of the signals.
On Saturday July 12, Steve Lewkowycz using a jack raised Signal 37 (Three Light Color Light Signal with red on top) about an inch up on the pole. This was done because the hole for the wiring was covered by one of the clamps. Signal 28 (A B&O color position dwarf) was rewired by Steve because the existing cloth wire was cracking and the insulation was falling off.
On Sunday July 13, Steve L and Jim wired Signals 37, 36, and 32. Signal 36 needed sockets and Steve L. installed new sockets in this signal. New control boards have been built and an additional board was installed to run these signals what were wired.
Respectfully Submitted for the Display crew, Joel Ahrendt]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080723-1911052008-07-24T00:00:00Z2008-07-24T00:00:00ZNews and Views July 8, 2008
DOVER STRAIT
To start things out, we spotted Patrick Klunder from Rhinelander, WI inside the passenger car Dover Strait. Here he is in the hallway preparing to paint.
July 21, 2008
BARN 11
Here is a shot of a new track turnout completed last week. Would that be to a relocated or relabeled Track 114? The confusion might stem from the remaining switch and stub that was Track 111, unless we consider that Track 110, now. Got it?
Building materials are starting to arrive and be unloded and staged at the site. Actual construction may start this week! ]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080721-0515012008-07-21T00:00:00Z2008-07-21T00:00:00ZWeekly Update Car Motorman Conductor CLS/CTA 4391 Ed Rosengren Dallas Crew IT 415 John Schnegle CNS&M 251-749 Joe Stupar Gwyn Stupar CNS&M 160-714 Dan Buck Steve Lewkowycz CA&E 431 Jeff Obarek Jim Pechous CA&E 308-309 Randy Hicks CRT/CTA 1808-1754 Rick Block Bob Elliott CRT/CTA 4410-4290-4412 Greg Stepanek Greg Courvorst CTA 41-22 Jim Nauer Dennis Matl SEPTA 55 Bill Wulfert Steve Jirsa CSL/CTA 1374 Paul Sprenger Randy Allegrezza CSL/CTA 144 Bill Thiel Frank Sirinek CSL/CTA 3142 Bob Opal SS 68 Bob Kutella David Wilkins IT 101 Stan Wdowikowski IT 1565 Dave Diamond Jerry Lynn CE 4 Joel Ahrendt TM L7 Andy Sunderland CNS&M 229 Scott Greig CNS&M 604 - TM L4 Bob Rayunec Bob Sundelin
Bob Heinlein was the carline dispatcher and Frank Hicks was the car starter. In addition to these, there were many out in the yards throwing switches: Carl I., Dan M., Wes L and probably others that I've forgotten (which is why I generally don't name names, because I'll forget someone), but will hopefully fill in their name in the comments section.
There are countless pictures around the net, but the ones I know of are: hickscarworks (dot) blogspot (dot) com; and in the members gallery here on irm (dot) org under Adam Robillard.
There was some work done on CNS&M 714 on Saturday as a contactor decided that it wanted to be cleaned. (To the dismay of the operating crew which had to run a one car for the rest of the day). The able bodied crew of the Car Shop was able to work out the bugs and have the car back in service on Sunday.
CNS&M 251 made some rare runs over the three day weekend as well. This car needs a lot of roof work and some other repairs, but as sometimes happens, needs the money to do so. If anyone wishes, a check can be sent to the museum with the note of CNS 251 on it for the repair of this rare combine. It would be nice to be able to use the car on other days to provide a place for wheelchair visitors to ride the North Shore cars.
There was also the dedication of the CA&E 309 on Saturday. That is posted in another blog, as well as on the hicks website (see below).
Sunday brought some of the car department workers to help Adam Robillard of the Track Department to help tamp and level Yard 6. It's needed it for a while, and the weekend gave Adam the chance to do it with help.
Please make sure you read all of the other Electric Car work that are contained in the other blogs such as in the Freight Car Department and at the Hicks blog site hickscarworks (dot) blogspot (dot) com.
Respectfully Submitted, Joel Ahrendt]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080709-2137402008-07-10T00:00:00Z2008-07-10T00:00:00ZFREE PASSES to IRM FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, we are able to recognize a $100 donation to the FREIGHT CAR DEPARTMENT with the awarding of a one day pass good for the 2008 season, excepting Thomas Days. And of course your donation is also tax deductable.
You will have the satisfaction of supporting the restoration work, and lest you doubt there is a lot going on, scroll down through the recent entries on this blog. Every penny goes a long way with the hard working volunteers supplying much of the muscle and sweat equity.
Donations may be sent to
Illinois Railway Museum Box 427 Union, IL 60180 Attn: Freight Car Dept.
This one day pass is good for your use, or may be used by a friend, spouse, relative, or neighbor. If you are already a member and have your annual pass, please share this and 'pass' it on.
Our Union Pacific caboose, 25086, has seen significant progress and ongoing efforts by a dedicated group of volunteers who travel to IRM to work on this car almost every Wednesday, year around.
Project Manager Bill Leiter gets his hands dirty on the first warm day of spring. The project car has been moved one track over but is still in Yard 5. Bill is repairing body damage in this view.
Dave Bates is inside the caboose working on the benches. This interior has seen extensive work with most of a new floor complete, and cupola cabinets and framing in process.
In the WEDNESDAY Shop Car, Joe Luciani works on new doors destined for the caboose interior. In the background sharp eyed viewers will see Wayne Bates, father of Dave, seen working in another view this date.
April 30, 2008
Left to right, John Faulhaber, Dr. Ed Walsh, Dave Bates, and John Nelligan in the UP caboose. The two 'Johns' dropped by to 'inspect' progress as work was being done on the train door on the east end of the car.
June 4, 2008
Work continues here every week, even if your reporter does not get back there every week. Here, Joe Luciani shows where one of the step wells has been removed. New steel is being fabricated for the body repairs, and ultimately a new step well is to be created.
July 9, 2008
Just because you do not see me posting news on this project every week, do not think the guys are not there EVERY Wednesday toiling away.
Bob Payne in the foreground, is being assisted by Wayne Bates as they fit up new framing and panels, and save the original doors and drawers on the south side, below the cupola.
Joe Luciani is grinding new steel in preparation for welding in a newly fabricated steel step well on the southwest corner.
On July 5, 2008 there was a dedication ceremony unveiling the restoration work on this car. The team of Randall and Frank Hicks did most of the work. The car has just broken the ceremonial banner and is about ready to enter service providing rides throughout the afternoon.
I am using a double category for this entry since much of the woodwork involved our shop, although the pic is clearly not a 'Freight Car'.]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080707-0548062008-07-07T00:00:00Z2008-07-07T00:00:00ZMichigan Electric 28
Here is a photo of the 28 in Carbarn 4, circa 2006
Click here for a quick link to the IRM roster page.
5/4/2008
Project Manager Norm Krentel was doing layout work on new tack molding for this historic interurban. Last season most of the remaining old roof was removed, and now the new parts are starting to go on the car.
Here we have rearranged the furniture a bit to allow the very long pieces of tack molding to be squared up by Norm using our disk sander.
5/19/2008
Jeff Brady was in the woodshop measuring a piece of the new tack molding for the Michigan car. Note that classy t-shirt!!!
5/25/2008
Norm Krentel is drilling for new mounting holes for the north side tack molding while Jeff Brady sights along the new piece. PROGRESS!!
7/6/2008
Ray Schmid is using the large bandsaw to rough out new white oak saddles for the 28. Next steps are sanding using our oscillating spindle sander.
]]>http://www2.irm.org/blog/index.php?entry=entry080707-0540212008-07-07T00:00:00Z2008-07-07T00:00:00ZWoodshop - June 2008
John Faulhaber is putting the finishing touches on a wood jig to hold pieces together in alignment for welding. These pieces were fabricated this week as part of the work to expand our woodshop capabilities by restoring a circa 1878 molding machine, back to operation. These brackets will mount and hold a necessary countershaft.
The above referenced machine will be mounted with motor and countershaft on a unitized base. Victor Humphreys is centerpunching holes following a cardboard template of the machine base.
June 8, 2008
The passenger deartment guys were back in the shop, hiding from the rain and enjoying the air conditioning. Wayne Baksic and Mike Baksic were making 5 new step boxes for improving the safety of visitor access to some of our cars.
June 11, 2008
John Nelligan and John Faulhaber are at the drill press sinking holes into steel to be used in constructing a machine base for the Fay molder - a new to the woodshop machine we hope to have running later this year.
George Clark is in the Lake Shore Electric 810 freight trailer adding a new wood floor to the center section of this car.
Henry Vincent is fitting new doors, made in the woodshop, for electric car Illinois Terminal 101.
New volunteer, Ed Chase, has nearly finished cleanup and paint removal on the south side letterboard on the TM 972. Here he is applying primer to the cleaned metal.
June 14, 2008
The passenger department was on hand making new access step boxes. Here Fred Ash is priming the new boxes made by Wayne Baksic.
June 15, 2008
We have a new saw in the woodshop! Here it is being delivered.
And here is a closeup of the side of the saw showing it to be an American Woodworking Number 10 Model 3. Age is circa 1918, and it can plow through timbers using up to a 20 inch blade. Want to help clean this one up and get it painted?
And finally, a Kirk Warner image of me staining the last piece of curtain box molding for the Sand Springs 68.
June 21, 2008
Lenny Halter and Gerry Detloff are welding a new steel frame for a single headed molder to be added to our stable of woodworking machines. Anyone want to help cleaning it up now that it is done, priming and painting it?
June 25, 2008
Victor Humphreys and Kirk Warner use our jointer to create new slabbing for our UTLX 17222 tankcar. We hope to have this completely repainted later this summer.
John Nelligan and John Faulhaber work on cleaning the newly welded frame for our our 1878 molder. Mostly in priomer by the end of the day.
George Clark and Gerry Detloff are working on reshaping commercial clevises to be used to anchor the truss raods on the Lake Shore Electric 810 project.
June 29, 2008
Wayne Baksic is applying the finishing touches to new step boxes slated for use in easing visitor access to many of our passenger cars.
Surrounded by windows and doors bearing new finish coat of yellow paint, Scott Greig considers if another coat is needed at this point.
