Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Chicago & North Western 7700: Baggage compartment door frames were completely rebuilt during the 2007 season. Winter 2007-2008 saw both large baggage doors re-fabricated.

CNW 7700 door construction Mar 2008

Delaware Lackawanna & Western 556: This coach has had a chronic problem with an entry door frame where the tread rises and prevents the door from opening properly. Over the winter the vestibule platform was cut out and it was discovered that several previous repairs had been made over the life of the car; probably by the DL&W. The framework is now exposed and waiting for new metal work.

Bessemer & Lake Erie 25: This combine car displayed wood deterioration in a few window frames. The single most severe frame was removed and a new window fabricated in the woodshop. Bob Kutella shows a photo of Wayne Baksic working on the new window in his Woodshop post of April 8, 2008.

Chicago Burlington & Quincy 1923: This baggage/RPO car has been cleaned to provide a better example of a baggage compartment for display. The Passenger Car Department baggage collection will be stored here as well as our milk can collection. Most other items previously stored in the the baggage compartment will be relocated.

Louisville & Nashville 2726 Diner Galt House: The diner returned from Horicon but suffered buffer damage in transit. Repairs will require the removal of the diaphragm and buffer plates to reshape the metal. This will probably be deferred until the 2008-2009 off-season. The car will be on display in Barn 3 during the 2008 season.

Galt House prior to painting in Horicon

Galt House newly painted

January 2008 Galt House buffer damaged in transit

NYC Dover Strait - Bob Hunter, Project Leader: Diaphragm fabric is being fabricated on one end and the interior corridor is being prepped for painting this spring.

Boston & Maine 3288 (ex 1094) Cafe Diner - Jack Biesterfeld/Ted Anderson, Project Leaders: This car continues to see interior restoration work. More dining room seats are being repaired/reupholstered and the coach area is being cleared for better display.

Dining area of the B&

Illinois Central Railroad 3345: The exterior aluminum sheathing is almost complete on one side of this Food Bar/Chair Car. The car is to be turned to complete repairs to the other side during the 2008 season.