Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Tim Peters has been working on the 1268 all through last year, and is forwarding some pics of the car and the work.  We will experiment a little with the layout and format so bear with us.

And of course, if you would like to see the work continue, funding is urgently needed.  To those who have made generous donations, thank you.  For those still considering to help please mail your donation marked for fund R 1268.  Hint - hardwood stock runs over $6 per board foot, one window may need up to 3 board feet, and we need to make 22 windows.

Rot Uncovered

Cleaned Out

Patch in Place

Ready for Paint

These photos show a severe example of deterioration to the letterboard and the steps taken to repair it.  The rot is cut out and a lap seam is cut to allow for a solid splice.   A 'dutchman' is cut to fit the gap and is glued in place then drilled for recessed screws, the letterboard is rescrewed to the posts and the holes are plugged. The surface is sanded and skim coated with epoxy. The epoxy is sanded smooth  and if necessary the process is repeated until all low spots are flush. The surface is then primed and painted.

Lots of activity going on in the Wood Shop to bring in the new year.  Here is SOME of it.

Sparks Flying

Prime Painting

Lots of help pitching in to help complete the guard assembly for the Fay Molder.  John Faulhaber is grinding welds for better appearance, and follows by starting the painting process.

Tooling

Ed Chase continues sorting and cleaning the new (to us) tooling and knives we obtained for the Fay Molder.

Sliding Doors

For Chicago El car 1268, Tim Peters continues on the restoration.  He has totally rebuilt two of the very large sliding doors and here the second one gets the first coat of CRT Bown paint.

Pullman Step

Victor Humphreys and Kirk Warner take over finishing touches on a Pullman Porter Step Ladder that needed broken parts replaced.  This is the taller of two versions that Pullman built.

Seat Work

To start his day, Kirk Warner completed the first coat of Santa Fe finish paint on the third seat frame in a series being restored by the Coach Department.

Two Results of a Days Work

Ed Chase slides together a mortise and tenon corner joint and Ted Anderson likes the first test fit of the new window; Victor Humphreys checks the Pullman step for level or paint misses.

First B and M Window

This is the first new window our shop is making for a Boston & Maine car.  Project Manager Ted Anderson seems happy while Bob Kutella points out jointery and Henry Vincent, Ed Chase and Victor Humphreys look on.