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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! |
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Comments
Sun, 09-25-2016 01:14
Yes Ted (we know you're a member), I restored one of the downstairs ceiling light fixtures over the summer. I will write a blog post as time [...]
Wed, 09-21-2016 16:41
There has not been any reports about the Silver Pony dome car in quite a while. Is any work being done there? Ted Miles, IRM Member
Wed, 09-21-2016 11:17
Hi Jeremy, Thank you for coming out to Showcase Weekend at IRM! I will call you to discuss getting involved in restoration. -Warren
Tue, 09-20-2016 16:16
That's because IRM doesn't have one.
Sun, 09-18-2016 20:05
After riding at the showcase weekend and speaking to Warren I am looking forward to coming out and helping with making the X500 like new again!
Sun, 09-18-2016 08:38
Wow, what a amazing job you all did! And it's all volunteer correct? The love and care you all put into the trains show. Thank you for all the hours [...]
Sat, 09-17-2016 17:31
With work on topping off the shay, giving 938 a new coat of paint and Keeping 1630 on the tracks, 428 has progressed slowly while GNA 26 has taken a [...]
Sat, 09-17-2016 15:25
What is the progress on both the Union Pacific 428 and Graysonia, Nashville & Ashdown R.R. Co. 26
Fri, 09-16-2016 19:48
Ely will be open for tours at least Sat the 17th members night. Stop by and say Hi.
Wed, 09-14-2016 15:17
Nice Work !
Sun, 09-11-2016 18:25
those additional "temporary" walls you speak of, could, and should, have a long term use as firewalls to slow or prevent the spread of a fire from one [...]
Tue, 09-06-2016 18:27
No, not at this time.