Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Entries from October 2009

Friday, October 30. 2009

Barn 4 Addition Update - October 30, ... Posted by Robert Kutella in Buildings and Grounds at 10:01

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Barn 4 Addition Update - October 30, 2009

With thanks to Phil Stepek who has supplied many images which I will display below. He not only made the effort to record the progress, but burned a disk and delivered it to MY HOUSE! I guess I will have to change my address:>). Without further ado, here is what amounts to an entire album of the work over the last two weeks.

Phil Stepek Photo, 10/21/09

Phil Stepek Photo, 10/28/09

You will note two freshly poured concrete 'runners' which I believe will serve as footings to next receive railroad rails to allow a truck to be rolled into the new shop. The floor is scheduled to be poured next week.

Saturday, October 24. 2009

Trolley Bus Dept Update 10/24/2009 Posted by Ray Piesciuk in Trolley Bus Department at 21:12

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Trolley Bus Dept Update 10/24/2009

Edmonton BBC 181 for the first time under its own power at IRM - 10/24/2009

Another exciting day in the Trolley Bus Department. By the time I arrived today, Richard Schauer and Wally Unglaub were already taking the roof equipment out of our Edmonton BBC coach 181. The roof equipment had to be removed by Edmonton due to height restrictions for shipment and was stored inside the coach. We continued emptying out the coach and hauled the stuff onto the roof. We were able to get everything up there except one very heavy item. Luckily Warren Lloyd stopped by so we “Nicked” him into helping. Actually he was glad to lend a hand (as usual).

Ready for its first trip west down Central Avenue - 10/24/2009

Once everything was on the roof, we proceeded to attach everything, tie the ropes to the poles, and at exactly 5:00pm, Richard had the honor of operating the coach for the first time at IRM. We traveled around the loop in front of the Andersen Garage once, then two trips down Central Avenue. The coach performed flawlessly and is in unbelievable condition! Although we have don an inspection, there will surely be a break-in period when we will discover and work out any bugs, but if today was any indication, we have a fantastic addition to our fleet.

There are a couple YouTube videos of the first trip around the loop (links below).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpmThH96zG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=357o1TguDE0

Thursday, October 22. 2009

Milwaukee Streetcar 972 Update - ... Posted by Robert Kutella in TMER&L 972 Streetcar at 10:33

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Milwaukee Streetcar 972 Update - October 21, 2009

The following two images win the award for the WOW FACTOR this week!! Most of you have been following this project and seen the endless hours of preparing and painting the car.

Herald

The correct style and arrangement of the herald was applied to the car by Buzz Morissette.

Numbers Too

Buzz also supplied and applied the numbers. One can hardly believe the impact of these touches to a glistening, freshly painted car.

Thursday, October 22. 2009

URTX 26640 Update - October 21, 2009 Posted by Robert Kutella in URTX 26640 Insulated Boxcar at 10:28

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URTX 26640 Update - October 21, 2009

A End

The A end ladders are now mounted back on the car, the work done last Sunday.

More Painting

Victor Humphreys continues with touch up painting of finished areas. He also applied black paint to the left side sill, located below the wood siding boards.

Thursday, October 22. 2009

CRT 'Baldy' Update - October 21, 2009 Posted by Robert Kutella in Electric Car Department at 10:22

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CRT 'Baldy' Update - October 21, 2009

Cab Door

Bruce Plaxton is into his second day in the work to remove MANY layers of paint from this cab door.

Thursday, October 22. 2009

UP 3786 Caboose Update - October 21, ... Posted by Robert Kutella in Union Pacific 3786 Steel Caboose at 10:15

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UP 3786 Caboose Update - October 21, 2009

All the comforts of home department - -

Lamp and Sink

The kerosene lamp and wash basin grace one end. Another lamp has been installed for lighting the other end.

Flares and Fusees

The original boxes have been replaced for these items.

Hot Box?

Instructions are thoughtfully provided for action in the case of an overheated journal bearing.

Cupola Brakes

The cupola area has a brake valve and controls for the crewman to stop the train if a problem is noted form his lofty observation post.

Thursday, October 22. 2009

Barn 4 Addition - October 21, 2009 Posted by Robert Kutella in Buildings and Grounds at 10:10

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Barn 4 Addition - October 21, 2009

Work continues to show progress on the new addition to Barn 4. Amazing how fast things go when you can throw some money at a project!

Framing

The framing is taking shape quickly.

West End

The west end is being framed in showing the opening for the planned large door.

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Comments

Philip Cwikowski about Steam Department Update 5-19-2012
Sun, 05-20-2012 17:31
I would like to make a note of a couple of things. The sandblasting process involves taking the sand like material, called blackblast, and smashing it [...]

lucien o. about B&O Boxcar Update - May 9, 2012
Fri, 05-18-2012 22:48
This is one interesting freight car. I've been browsing images on-line of these B&O wagon-top cars lately, and noticed a variety of lettering and [...]

James Kolanowski about Diesel Days, July 16th and 17th, 2011
Fri, 05-18-2012 12:03
Mark, Its hard to say if 760 will be running in early July. It will be for Diesel Days, but I can't answer yet if we'll have it ready sooner than [...]

Mark Johnson about Diesel Days, July 16th and 17th, 2011
Thu, 05-17-2012 13:13
Im going to drive from California to the Chicago area in early July and staying for about 3 weeks. Im a big fan of FM units. Any chance the MILW 760 [...]

Norman about Model Railroad Public Display - April 28 , 2012
Sun, 05-13-2012 11:44
Line sidewalks and steets with rail ties and fill with small pea gravel. Similar to construction near Lincoln Home in Springfield, IL.

Roger Kramer about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Fri, 05-11-2012 10:45
Thank you. If you are send pics to Irm in mail,Please make it attention Roger Kramer. Thanks..

Don Vaughn about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 17:08
I will be sending some color photos of the CGW 285 shortly after rebuilding by the CGW. And yes, they had chrome grabs and the end gate. I had been [...]

anon about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 12:58
Yes there are some chrome plated partsespecially on the sissors gate. Unfortunately, they were recently taken off, and left in the gravel. I have [...]

Lucien O. about CNW or CGW 285 Which is it? Work continues
Thu, 05-10-2012 00:46
The book "Chicago Great Western Color Guide" (Morning Sun) has some interesting notes about these CGW combines: [BEGIN QUOTE] "In 1954 the CGW bought [...]

Wally Unglaub about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 21:42
Nigel, What you just told me is great news. YOU clarified things for me.

Nigel Bennett about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 20:34
Wally, I must say that I am puzzled by this comment. The whole driver for the current work is the major FRA mandated inspection (15 year 1472 [...]

Wally Unglaub about Steam Department Update 5-5-2012
Sun, 05-06-2012 16:39
I am just afraid that by the time 1630 is up and ready to run, it will have to be dismantled again to do the Federally mandated inspection. I am [...]