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Sunday, August 29. 2010UP 3786 Caboose Update - August 28, 2010This was a BIG DEAL, and a problem we have wrestled with over the last six weeks. That is - how to replace the coupler at one end. Oh, the old one was removed easily enough, but getting its replacement in was a bit more involved. The car has an unusual draft gear, some sort of early development with cushioning features. So it had to be compressed in order to make the attachments and complete the installation. After trying unsuccessfully several weeks, and consulting with other members and folks in industry, it was time for the next trial. This whole adventure could not have been done without a lot of interdepartmental cooperation. First, the Internal Combustion boys moved the caboose from its Track 40 resting place to track 41 just east of Barn 4. Next, thanks go to Dave Diamond and Jerry Lynn. Jerry came over with the bobcat and helped lift and insert the replacement coupler into the pocket. Elapsed time maybe 10 minutes - we have done this enough to be good at it. The US army engine was used to pull the caboose clear and MILW 760 came into Track 41.  The Anchor The 760 was to act as an 'anchor' and we would put a big squeeze on the coupler draft gear using another locomotive on the east end.  Here Comes the Caboose In short order, the caboose and the Army engine came in. We fussed and pushed all to no avail. Once we gave the set a bump and the 760 actually slid a small amount from the impact - but the draft gear also moved a bit, before springing back out. The next part of the adventure was deciding more weight was needed and larger locomotives would provide that. The work site migrated to the West end of Barn 2. (All following photos by James Kolanowski.)  The Line Up SP 1518 and MILW 760 went in first to act as the anchors. Brakes set up and substantial amount of weight there. The caboose next, and then CB&Q 504. So now we had just short of ONE MILLION pounds of locomotives, and and THIRTY FOUR wheels on the rail, ready to make the squeeze. Even at that the 504 slipped a bit before the gear went into place, and the brakes were locked to hold it there.  Train Line Roger Broms is dropping the anchor bolts on the train line to provide clearance.  Cross Key South With everything in alignment a cross key is inserted to attach the coupler shank to the yoke.  Cross Key North The key is in and the tab on this end gets three more pieces to prevent it from working loose in service.  Top View From the top, the shank is about two inches inward from where we started - you will have to take my word for it. So there you have it. The caboose was brought back to Track 40 and Victor Humphreys and I hung the uncoupling bar, cotter key, cross key anchor dogs, re hung the train line and reconnected and anchored an air line to the conductors platform brake valve. Simple, huh? None of this would have been remotely possible without the outstanding cooperation and participation of Jamie Kolanowski and Roger Broms. They helped complete a project in house at minimum expense - which would have been significant had we hired an outside contractor. That is, if we could find one - several calls were made. So this fine restoration is now released for service and this represents two cabooses completed in the last four days. We did not plan it that way, and have been working on both of them, sometimes things happen right. Friday, August 27. 2010Thursday, August 26. 2010Wood Shop and Other News - August 25, 2010We will start this entry out with some images from Mike Alterio, who also did the work.  New Link on Left  The Pocket These are of our caboose UP 3786 which was restored in recent years by our group of 'regulars' who come out every Wednesday. We are trying to ready the car to run in train service and had three issues needing to be addressed. Brake shoes were incorrectly installed, broken or missing on some wheels. We fixed that last week. In these views you with see a sort of coupler shank carrier supported by swing links to allow for some side to side motion. We have not seen this design on our other cars. On one end it was disabled and broken parts missing in action. Mike was able to make and install a new link in a very short time. Done and ready to go. The third issue is a cracked coupler head which was removed for replacement. The old one is out, and still some 'engineering' to be done on getting the replacemnt one installed. More Mike Alterio help occurred on our ICG caboose which had missing air valves and manifold on one end. Mike fabricated this new, and yesterday Victor Humphreys and Henry Vincent installed it. A perfect fit!  CGW 601 Continuing with the caboose theme of this entry, we worked again (for the third week in a row) to get air brakes properly operating on our CGW 601. A tricky problem and we followed some false paths but finally resolved the problem yesterday. The final issue revolved around a defective retainer valve. Seen above complete and ready to go back to Barn 11 after being on Track 41 for the work. Many helped on this project throughout the day. Now complete and in running order, the fourth caboose for the service pool in 2010.  Henry V and John F And finally, since this a Wood Shop report, at least in name, Henry Vincent arranged for the donation of a tool cabinet to be used in the wood shop, seen here after he picked it up and delivered it. Other wood shop work included assembly for a new window for Sand Springs 68 and some troubleshooting along the way on our new planer. Thursday, August 26. 2010Thomas Report - 2010The following report was submitted by Gerry Dettloff:  The Stranger in the Top Hat This is the customary celebratory photo of the Buildings and Grounds crew that we take after the last day of the Thomas Event. Over 500 hundred man-hours were put into working the 5 event days. B&G handles the facilities of the event, such as tents, toilets, tables, left to right top - Jerry Lynn, Carl Illwitzer, John Falhauber, Dave Diamond left to right standing - Dave Moncotch, John Fret, Tom Opolony Jr, Tom Opolony Sr, Mr. Topham Hatt, Gerry Dettloff and on the right, our I would like to add a comment of my own, that these guys are well organized, and do a thankless and often invisible job making things run smoothly and keeping our public face of top caliber at this event (and year around for that matter). Bob Kutella
Thursday, August 19. 2010Wood Shop and Other News - August 18, 2010 Wood Beam George Clark is fitting a large wood beam to the new structural Z shape destined to replace corroded members on the LSE 810. Big stuff, and a lot different from puttering around on bookends in your garage. Also in the wood shop, Henry Vincent fitted remaining items for the new planer, including a lockout plug, a ductwork transition, and the flex hose and grounding.  Caboose Brakes Meanwhile, out in the sun, we worked to resolve air brake issues on caboose CGW 601. Fred Zimmerman is monitoring brake cylinder piston travel.  The Operator Rich Witt was the 'designated driver' and here he is operating the test stand to apply and release the brakes. We ended up changing out both the service and emergency portions of the control valve under the car, and the brakes do apply consistently now. But release is painfully slow, and we have basically run out of ideas where to look for the problem. Any air brake guys out there wanting to pitch in and look this over? Mike Alterio was working to build missing parts for a coupler carrier on caboose UP 3786; Joe Luciani, Lee Regione, and Fred Silverman helped with installing brake shoes (thanks to Jamie Kolanowski for ordering and getting these parts) on four wheels, and we did more reserach on what might be needed to install a new coupler on the west end. Thursday, August 12. 2010Wood Shop Update - August 11, 2010 Planer Bob Milhaupt came over from the steam shop to lend some expertise as we try to get our new planer running. Here he is checking the innards before we try it.  It Runs Rich Witt joined Bob after the unit spun up to speed, as they both worked to get all the covers and panels back on, and close up the cabinet. Other work around the area included completing all end lettering on the URTX 26640 boxcar, as well as some more roof painting. It looks like seat work on the 972 is done until the last four cushions return from the shop. Rich Witt did some more work on CA&E window hardware, and John Faulhaber 'sweated it out' on the new roof for the TM D 13. More engineering on the coupler replacement for UP 3786, and the Wednesday guys were drafted to unload the Thomas engine when it arrived. It now sits in the pit area of Barn 4. Other work, not as successful, was the attempt to pull out the Dover Strait but the little engine that couldn't, JOY 2, was not able to budge it. We also hoped to pull caboose CGW 601 to track 41 for air brake work, but the crew could not get the doors to Barn 11 to open. And, Pete Galayda and John Nelligan worked on CCW 300 in the heat. Tuesday, August 10. 2010Monday, August 9. 2010Wood Shop and Other News - August 8, 2010 A Bender Fred Ash is examining a new sheet of masonite roofing in the large bending caul for the Michigan Electric 28. It works out to processing about one large sheet per week. Soak in water 2-3 days, place in the caul, and wait 2-3 days for it dry back out and take a set.  Whistling Off Here is a new assembly destined for our ICG caboose. The valves and fittings were missing and capped off but Mike Alterio is a metal working wizard! He handcrafted a new exhaust muffler to match the original - this exhausts train line air during a back up move when the conductor, riding the back platform, applies the brakes. The smaller branch pipe sports a new homemade whistle to alert traffic during the same move. Other work during the weekend included some little work on a new door for our depot (stiles pictured in the background of the above picture), more seat work on TM 972, more lettering on our insulated boxcar URTX 26640, and Dan Fenlaciki starting to install the new drop sash in CA&E car 460. Of course we had to dodge more rain (not in the forecast) and that resulted in a hasty change of plans. We were also happy to have Art Schwartz from PTM visiting, show him around, and then had an advance planning meeting for the upcoming meet of the Old Wood Working Machines group. We have hosted this event several times in recent years, it has earned money for the Museum, and furthers our educational mission. Sunday, August 8. 2010Line Report - August 6, 2010WIRE DOWN! The following report is from Gerry Dettloff who was drafted to help in an emergency repair last Friday.  The Problem On Friday morning a transverse span wire that supported the trolley wire span wires came down between the tail track diamond and the Diesel Shop driveway on the Car Line. The wire that came down ran from the steel center pole west between the tail track and the Car Line to a pole near the tail track switch.  Long Reach Roger Smessaert and I happened to both be on the property. I was helping Roger hook up electrical connections for the Thomas Event. I was contacted about the emergency and Roger and I along with Carl Illwitzer went to look at the situation. Roger moved Truck 70 into position and shut off power to the Car Line. We tied off the hanging span wire to make the area safe. Then in the true spirit of the DC Line Dept, we went to do something else!  Tight Squeeze Actually, a vendor for the Thomas Event was waiting for the power to be connected to his set up area. We did that and then after lunch, went back to the line problem . The problem was caused when a wood strain broke in half on the center pole that apparently has every other span wire and overhead line attached. After Roger figured out how to get in there, he replaced the wood strain. We realigned the span wire and Roger tensioned it and attached it to the new wood strain. Then Roger re-energized the Car Line.  In the Air  Finishing Touches We were done by 3 PM and I put the Car Line back in Monday, August 2. 2010Trolley Bus Dept Update - 08/02/2010For the last two weekends, Richard Schauer and I, joined by Wally Unglaub Saturday, have been continuing to clean the interior of the SF 614. The seats have received two passes with the vinyl cleaner/rejuvenator, the floors have been scrubbed, most of the gum has been scraped from the floor, the walls and heating ducts along the floor have been washed. We still need to do the fixtures and step wells, but it is looking great inside. Thanks guys!!! We need to do just a little more work on the mechanical end – we hope to pull the coach out under its own power later this year. It does need a set of tires, which we also hope to get by the end of the year. The Seattle 633 is also scheduled to get tires this year. Later on Saturday we were going to pull the five coaches out of the Andersen Garage for the model railroaders to set up for Thomas. Unfortunately there was an issue with the Edmonton 181’s compressor. Richard somehow squirmed his way underneath and into the bowels of the coach and made temporary repairs. This pushed back the switch move to Sunday.
Monday, August 2. 2010Wood Shop and Other News - July 31, 2010 New Planer We just received a new planer for our Wood Shop. This will expand our capabilities and allow two new projects to proceed, the old planer did not have the capacity. Buzz Morisette is installing some of the loose parts which came with it.  New Battens Jerry Lynn and Dave Diamond are just completing installation of new battens on the east end of our depot. Readers here will have seen the shop crew making these through the cold winter months past, and now they are painted and being installed!  Dark Yellow Paint Ed Waytula applied the first color to the CTS 4223 PCC car. It is a dark yellow and was applied to the battery box and some of the skirting on the right side.  Those Crazy Track Guys Here are Frank Devries and Tom Hunter in Yard 3, repairing and servicing some of our track maintenance equipment. A never ending task.  Let the Sparks Fly Tim Peters continues on his marathon to restore wooden el car, CRT 1797. Here, Ed Waytula is welding a new stud to the steel corner framing. This will allow new wood corner post stock to be milled and placed on the car. Most of the posts are badly rotted and deteriorated.  Breezer And some eye candy to close this entry. Saturday the Vera Cruz 19 open car was seen carrying passengers while motorman qualification and training runs were being conducted. On Sunday the car entered scheduled service with full loads seen throughout the afternoon. Monday, August 2. 2010UP 3786 Update - July 31, 2010We have been laboring to replace one defective coupler on this restored caboose so that it may enter service on our railroad. Nothing is ever simple as apparently the draft gear has an early form of cushioning. Somehow the railroads were able to compress this capsule when needing to change a coupler, and so far we have neither the tools nor a bright idea how we might do this safely. Has anyone out there seen this done?  Couplers The old coupler is in the foregorund, the replacement is being measured, behind it.  Pocket This is the empty pocket with the old coupler removed.  Keyway A cross key fits through this slot to anchor the coupler shank in place, after it is installed.  Draft Gear This is the end with the coupler removed and the draft gear has 'relaxed', perhaps one and three quarter inches. It is the accordian like capsule fitting between the car center sills.  Draft Gear On the other end the coupler remains in place and that 'accordian' is measurably compressed and shorter. Friday, July 30. 2010Burlington Northern 5383 (GE U30C) back in service
This is just a quick followup on the reverser repairs on BN 5383 from earlier this year, a few people have asked about it recently. In May, the final reverser repairs were completed and the re-installation was waiting on the electrical cabinet repairs to get completed. In late June the rusted area of the electrical cabinet was removed and repaired, primed and painted. Early July the reverser was reinstalled and all the cables and bus bars were reconnected. The locos inspection was done in rotation with all the others for the annual diesel days parade. A bad brake cylinder was replaced and the loco was tested a few nights before diesel days after some minor electrical troubleshooting was done. It went back into revenue service on Saturday of Diesel Days pulling a coach/caboose train. It will be operating tomorrow, Saturday, July 30th, as well. There are a few pictures of the cabinet repairs in progress in this photo gallery.
Friday, July 30. 2010Tuesday, July 27. 2010Wood Shop Update - July 24, 25, 2010There was a lot going on, as on most weekends, so this will stay with the pattern of many news items.  A Caul Ray Schmid and Jeff Brady are working on a very large caul for the Michigan Electric 28. A caul is a form, usually used for bending sheet material, or somehow aiding in making complex forms. In this case full sheets of the new roofing material will hopefully be wrestled into shape.  The Motormans Seat More progress on the newly re-upholstered seat cushions for TM 972. Victor Humphreys is working on the two motorman's seats.  A Nickle Seat Dan Fenlaciki is working on mounting brackets for a bench seat near the end of the car, one that the old heads refer to as a 'nickle seat'.  More Step Boxes The Step Box Boys, Jim and Tom Windmeier, were back at work, adding reinforcing blocks and other finish work on a dozen replica stepboxes. One of the highlights of the summer occupied most of our time Satuday and that was a dedication of the IRCX 1277 tank car and the completion of the restoration of the UTLX 17222 tank car. A special train was operated with the tank cars and two rider cabooses for guests representing Texaco Chevron who sponsored the work with a generous grant. Other work in and around the Barn 4 area included work on the CA&E 36 truck including rebuilding a brush holder in anticipation of getting this truck under the car. A new planer for the wood shop was ordered, and delivered in the same week. This will expand our capabilities to allow a greater range of restoration work to be done. We moved the URTX 26640 boxcar the old fashioned way. Other equipment precludes using even a small locomotive, so out came a couple of pinch bars and strong backs to coax it about five feet further east. And of course more air brake work in the ongoing maintenance and repair of operating cars. |
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Comments
Mon, 08-30-2010 17:52
congrats on the up 3786 repair rube golberg would be proud it may not be pretty but it worked well. great job guys
Thu, 08-26-2010 12:34
One thing that always amazes me about IRM is the amount of support equipment they have, line trucks, cranes, tampers, and now street sweepers most [...]
Thu, 08-26-2010 11:58
Thanks should also go to the nameless Passenger Car Department volunteers who so quickly changed out the bad journal bearing on CRIP 2571 after it [...]
Sun, 08-22-2010 04:21
Thank you, Jeff. Someone else suggested that and it makes sense. We will try to check that mid week during our Wednesday work session. We looked [...]
Sat, 08-21-2010 15:23
Slow release? Did you check the retainer? or try testing the brakes with the pipe to the retainer disconnected from the main pipe bracket?
Wed, 08-18-2010 04:31
Fare information with schedules and admission rates are here on the website. Read down the link. http://www2.irm.org/schedule/index. html Bob [...]
Tue, 08-17-2010 21:41
Please send me info on your rates- for non members Just "general Admission rate, Thank you' Elmer Vos.
Sun, 08-15-2010 07:52
I realize I might be commiting heresy here. But y'know in an odd way, I would have like to have seen at least one car retain the Trolleyville [...]
Sun, 08-08-2010 14:09
We don't have the lineup for 2010 just yet, once its ready, we'll update the link and such, stay tuned...
Sat, 08-07-2010 13:14
And are there any updates for GB&W 2407?