Today we took a large step toward the completion of Barn 11. The gang today was Frank, Trackbolt, Steve and myself. The goal today was to build off the newly constructed switch and extend the track into the Barn and begin setting track panels inside the building on the new 11-4 track.
Frank and Trackbolt (Frank's daughter) were the first ones out and had the yard sorted and tools prepped for the days work. When I showed up Frank and I hooked up the first short track panel. We made a few cuts, drilled a few holes and installed a few ties. By lunch the first panel was in place!
After lunch Steve joined us and we started by installing the first long track panel which extends through the door sills. The Model 50 Burro crane made quick work of the actual install process and the rest of the sweat was getting everything in line and bolted together. Once the panel through the door was in place we brought in the next two panels, laid them in place and bolted them up as well. Nick joined us with the bobcat and backhoe and helped place some stone on the new track to make it safe to travel across. Dave D. helped us engineer the tracks through the door sill and find our eventual rail height. There is a lot of QC work to be done on this new stretch of track but nothing our own track dept isn't capable of handling. We will need to finish spiking up a couple of ties, tamp the barn approaches and insert ties under the joints between panels.
From here on out the rest of the track will be built 'relatively easily' with the remaining track panels and Model 50 Burro crane. We have the air compressor and hydraulic power tools to assist us in the construction. The entire process works best with 3-4 people. Anyone is free to join in during this process. We always appreciate the help!
Next Saturday we will again spend the day working on Barn 11 out of the Thomas spotlight. We will attempt to complete the work on the new portion and place more track panels. Our two ballast cars have been loaded by our Model 30 Burro crane and bucket and are ready to be dumped on the track soon. Frank was the "official" photographer for the day and he'll be posting pics in his Member's Photo page on the IRM site soon.
Thanks,
Adam Robillard, Roadmaster
Comments
Wed, 04-11-2018 11:28
You mention in the header that you would like to have the Electroliner operational by its birthday. Was it?
Sun, 04-08-2018 20:03
As a child, IRM was always my favorite place to visit. Well, other than grandma's house next to the Geneva Sub. It's been many years since I now [...]
Wed, 04-04-2018 16:01
Those temporary walls could be constructed in a way that allows their reuse after the phase is done to close off the new phases.
Tue, 03-27-2018 03:08
Why did the smoke box cover on the shay need to be replace Do?
Mon, 03-26-2018 16:29
It never ceases to amaze me of the diligence and passion of the current mix of volunteers associated with IRM in 2018. Back when I was a active [...]
Mon, 03-26-2018 11:10
Awesome paint job Jamie!!! I never would of thought with the Rock Island history this locomotive in this scheme would of been preserved. Thanks for [...]
Sun, 03-25-2018 23:56
The Hick's blog lists it as Fruit Grower's Express FGEX #55407. Arrived in Union June 2016.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:51
Good job on the diesel update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:45
Good job on the steam update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 00:12
Bill, The 1990 Roster has the PFE #68428; this may be the reefer that we saw moved. It is a rare car and deserves a paint job. Ted Miles, [...]
Fri, 03-16-2018 11:10
It would be rather difficult to operate an 11,000 Volt AC locomotive on our 600 Volt DC wire.
Thu, 03-15-2018 05:57
Good job steam update. Sincerely, Ethan A.