Illinois Railway Museum Blog

As we go into winter mode, I have decided to at least log on the majority of the report I send to the board every month. This way, even if I run out of time to write updates, our remote friends and visitors will have a bit of information.

In adfor a dition, we hope to have the Yard 5 set open for volunteers during the Holiday train event. While it is not planned as a public area, our friends will have a place to go for a cup of coffee or tea or cocoa, and a place to "set a spell".

GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS

The month of October was spent mostly supporting Terror on the Railroad.

The screamliner set was successful, and we encountered no significant mechanical issues throughout. 

The wheel switch on the CRIP coach is delayed until spring, and expenses estimate is included in the 2010 budget.

We hope to complete several projects this winter, as well as awaiting the completion of Barn 11.

CBQ 993, a Havelock built baggage car is now en route, having left St Louis 11-8 via UP through Pekin and Proviso.

CBQ 1309, a baggage car owned by IRM at least since 2001, has been located recently and we have begun to inquire about the method of movement to finally get it home. Info coming from the Executive Director includes availability of a flat car in the area. A crane service has been identified by the Colorado Railroad Museum as someone they know. We project making progress on this car over the winter and hope to move it in early 2010.

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS

DLW coaches (3)

           Two cars are service.

The third car is still undergoing required structural welding. The repairs are now progressing, with deck plates being installed.

Glen Springs

          Roger Kramer has made significant progress on the car. Batteries have been reinstalled, and basic electrical function of the car has been reactivated. Exterior cabinet doors have been reattached, and latch mechanisms have been restored.

ATSF 2544

One side of the coach area has now been installed, and the second side of “modern” seats is being removed, to allow for completion of the area for spring. All seat frames are now located, and the prep work on the second set will be conducted over winter.

http://www.irm.org/gallery/ATSF2544 

John McGloughlin

          Interior restoration continues, as well as metal and paint work on one vestibule

Dover Strait

          Most interior painting is complete, with some ceiling to be completed in spring. Light fixtures were removed and refinished, now being reinstalled.

 B&M 3288/1094

          No significant changes, beyond the continued progress. Jack continues on the coach area of the car. Windows are reinstalled. Seat frames are being located and installed. We await the assistance to use the forklift and retrieve the steps from the material yard. Once they are located behind the barn, prep work can begin.

RDC 9933

We have begun to disassemble more seating for repairs.

We have also disassembled one bathroom wall, to restore the proper doorway.

Our off season restoration plans include further repairs to baggage rack lighting circuits, as well as a planned spring effort to repair the secondary air circuit to provide interior brake control as well as a horn.

http://www.irm.org/gallery/CNW9933

CBQ Silver Ridge

          Electrical conversion of low voltage DC fixtures has been completed

We are proceeding to backdate some of the bedrooms to original salmon 

In addition the hope is to continue to backdate more bedrooms and bathrooms to original CBQ colors.

ACL Birmingham

      The kitchen has some backdating to be done, but it will take a secondary role as we focus on Silver Ridge and the ventilation system.