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Monday, September 29. 2008Monday, September 29. 2008Woodworking Machines Road Trip
On September 27, 2008 we made the long planned road trip to Decatur, IL to load and acquire new woodworking machines for our carshop. These machines were owned by the Illinois Traction System (Illinois Terminal) dating from about 1900. One of the machines is much older from about 1875, so must have been acquired used by the IT.
When the Decatur Car Shops stopped that work in the mid 1950's a woodworker and fan bought most of them and opened his own business in Decatur. Now heading for retirement, he offered these three to us and is working on selling the remaining stuff. A very difficult decision for him, and for us as we could have likely gotten more, but space and money intervene. It is a shame in a way that this "IT Collection" needed to be split and broken apart after surviving another 50 years relatively intact.  Illinois Traction System Decatur Shops Here is a rare photo of the Decatur car shops about 1910. Our planer is on the right behind the table saw. Our tenoner is on the left side along the wall, behind the shaper!! All machines were line shaft driven at this time. Anyone find it odd that an electric railway had no machines in their shop driven by electric motors? Although it does appear there was a LARGE electric motor driving the line shaft on the left side. Such was technology in 1910. The crew going down there consisted of Richard Schauer, Tim Peters, Barb Lanphier and myself. A VERY long day but the loading went ok and the truck made it back to Union without incident.Following are some of the images from that day.  Sash Sticker This is the oldest machine and serves a multi function purpose with two tables for doing different operations. A FAY sash sticker circa 1875.  Tenoner Here we have an H B Smith tenoner already partly disassembled for loading but still inside the shop, with motor and drive slid into place to provide a record of the setup.  Planer The big American No. 4 1/2 planer is on the museum truck and the tenoner is being set into place for the trip.  Loading The sash sticker is on the hoist out in the street moving toward our truck. For a small side street there was a lot of traffic that day!  Loading  Beverly Hillbillys?? The final two pics are the loaded truck parked in a lot by the local hash house. Loose pieces are being stowed for travel, and chains and binders added to prevent things from shifting. Estimated weight - 12,000 lbs. Sunday, September 28. 2008Construction continues with truss installation September 27, 2008 First Trusses And by Friday afternoon the first six roof trusses were up. This really shows the shape and form of the new barn. Thursday, September 25. 2008Construction Continues September 24, 2008 Side Framing By Wednesday this week the purlins and girts (side framing) were going in place. Thursday, September 25. 2008NYC Dover Strait Update September 24, 2008 Vestibule End The car has been wyed (turned) again, and Bob Hunter has added the end grills to the flat panels of the vestibule. Here he is touching up the paint on the fasteners. Thursday, September 25. 2008UP 25086 Update September 24, 2008This has not been a forgotten project. Throughout the summer, the fellows have been trying to ready the car for SANDBLASTING!  Sandblasting And on Wednesday, 9/24, the contractor was out doing the deed.  Cleanup Two days later the car had been blasted, and a crew of Joe Luciani, Bill Leider, and Bob Payne were working to clean up the car to get it painted, hopefully early next week! Thursday, September 25. 2008North Shore 757 Update September 24, 2008 Window Hardware Henry Vincent is cleaning and prepping the window retainer plates for North Shore 757. We are planning on making new replacement sash for the badly deteriorated end windows on this car. |
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Comments
Mon, 03-10-2014 08:48
Hello Mr. Logan Thank you for your interest in Irm and your interest in the 2612 project. We meet in back of barn 3 most Wednesdays and [...]
Mon, 03-10-2014 08:43
Hello Josh. The building of both Barns will take much prep work but can be accomplished. Thank you for your interest in the Sil Pony. [...]
Mon, 03-10-2014 00:13
Roger, I saw on the Yahoo IRMList that indeed, both barns 13 & 14 will be started this year. This is great news! I'm interested in working on the [...]
Sun, 03-09-2014 23:02
Hello I have been interested in volunteering for quite some time. If you could email me with some information that would be greatly appreciated.
Sat, 03-08-2014 11:11
The question has been posed multiple times over the past few year to no avail. For some reason I think it is a sore spot to some in the Diesel [...]
Tue, 03-04-2014 15:13
Nice work on those exhibit cars! Moving right along....
Sun, 03-02-2014 14:36
Thanks for your kind comments, Kirk! Yes, it's my hope that we can spray and hand brush, were possible, the interior when completed. Gary and I [...]
Sun, 03-02-2014 10:03
Thanks. Appreciate the effort. greg
Sun, 03-02-2014 08:37
Greg, I talked to Tom Schneider, the curator of the Steam Department yesterday. Rather as I suspected, he does have a good deal of information [...]
Sat, 03-01-2014 10:33
Congratulations on your great progress. Is your intent to spray the interior after repairs and priming are completed and the weather warms up? What [...]
Thu, 02-27-2014 13:59
Hello, I was wondering if you had a history of the Louisiana and Arkansas #99 from the time it was the LR&NCo until it was acquired by the [...]
Tue, 02-25-2014 09:05
Jamie can you give me any information on Milwaulkee Road 33C as i havent seen any information on it in a couple of years.