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Thursday, February 18. 2010Behind the Scenes - February 17, 2010No, this post is not about the Freight Department but I could find no category set up for Office and Admin, and have no access to post under Info Tech or News and Publicity. So I am putting it under the freight header.  The Brains at Work Our new office help, in the person of Jan Nunez, is checking some accounts on the computer while Barbara Lanphier looks on. I thought it might help if you were able to place a face with the name. This is a largely invisible five day per week job, going on behind the scenes, which is critical to the various functions at IRM. Thursday, February 18. 2010Wood Shop Update - February 17, 2010 Smooth John Nelligan and Pete Galayda are applying 'glaze coat' to some of the windows destined for B&M 1094. The outside of these frames will receive paint, not varnish, and the open grain is being filled and sanded.  What a Color A new custom mixed interior color was just delivered to the shop last weekend and Randy Hicks is already painting the finished coat on some windows and trim for the CA&E 319. There was not much time to watch the work and take pics, but other progress was made on sign frames for the ends of the TM 972, a new sash for the CA&E 409, a new window for the SS 68, and a new large door. Thursday, February 18. 2010Barn 4 Addition Update - February 17, 2010 A Pipe Dream Works continues on the addition to make it complete for final inspection and to make it habitable. The new heating unit is set and ductwork run and installed. Yesterday Max Tyms, Henry Vincent and Roger Smessaert (not pictured) began the job of running five conduits over 100 feet to supply power to the new space. Sunday, February 14. 2010Chicago Aurora & Elgin 451 Restoration
On Saturday, February 6th, the CA&E 451 was moved into the Diesel Shop to begin its restoration. Over the past year or two, the diesel department and electric car department has been working together to trade heated shop space for storage barn space for various projects. In this case, the 451 is among the highest priority projects in the Electric Car Department, with the goal of having most of the restoration aspects completed by early April. The goal is to have the roof re-canvased after some roof repairs are completed, and have the car repainted after some minor repairs are made to the carbody.
 CAE 451 progress To continue this aggressive restoration schedule, additional monies and donations will be needed. The entire restoration project for this car is estimated to cost about $12,000. To help with this project, please consider a donation to the Electric Car Department Car Painting Fund, your support will be appreciated. Sunday, February 14. 2010Wood Shop Update - February 13, 2010 Fitting Work Buzz Morisette was back in action on the new windows for the MILW 01984 caboose.  On the Rails Victor Humphreys with two new door rails - earlier two new windows were glued up (in the background), they are destined for B&M 1094.  419 Frame Rich Witt is making progress on the new sash for CA&E 419. He has not wanted a lot of 'hands on' assistance and I have to congratulate him on the willingness to learn the new craft and solve problems along the way.  Paint Removal Greg Ceurvorst has the CA&E 'bug'! He is actively pursuing a second career as a restorationist, here he is seen sanding down one of the old windows from CA&E 319. I do not know how contagious this recently identified bug is, but if you catch it, you will leave the shop every afternoon with a smile on your face. Friday, February 12. 2010Save South Shore Line 1100 CSSSB 1100 Chicago, South Shore & South Bend steel line car 1100 has been donated to the Illinois Railway Museum by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD). Though most remember it as a South Shore line car, 1100 was built in 1926 by the St. Louis Car Company as 376, a parlor car used with Indiana Service Corporation's Wabash Valley Flyer, the car was sold to the Indiana Railroad in 1932, and IRR 376 was rebuilt as a combination passenger/railway post office car in 1935. In 1941, 376 was sold to the South Shore where it was used as an express car before being converted to line car service in 1947. South Shore 1100 retired in 2003; in service for 77 years, the car served in four distinct types of electric railway service. In 2003, NICTD offered 1100 to a preservation group that proposed to restore the line car and feature it as a display in a new museum. Hard economic times caused their efforts to fall short, and 1100 remained in storage at the selected site in Michigan City, Indiana. Now the line car is ours and has been shipped to IRM. Your donation to the CSSSB 1100 Fund will help pay for the shipping costs, track space, and restoration costs for this historic car. As of January 2010, we have raised about 30% of our goal of $30,000. Monday, February 8. 2010Michigan Electric 28 Update - February 7, 2010 Getting in Shape Jeff Colandine, from the steam shop, was helping Jeff Brady on the shaper. Jeff B. (hiding behind the shaper dust pickup) installed some modifications to the shaper setup and we produced the raised panels for the baggage door project, slick as a whistle. At least the shaping was done very quickly and successfully on the long edges of the panel.  Worth a Closer Look Jeff C. is removing panel number four from the third pass through the shaper. This close up shows the top two edges complete for these double sided panels. It is very confusing to shout "Hey Jeff" and have two guys turn around. Maybe one of them should pick out a shop nickname. Of course Jeff Obarek was working in the Electric Car Shop so that makes it a triple play on "Jeff' for a Sunday afternoon.  Saddles While all the noise was being made in the west end of the shop, Ray Schmid was working on new saddles and by day's end they had all been primed.
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Comments
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.
Wed, 05-15-2013 21:28
I was not around at the time. General discussion suggests that it was "pretty marginal" in a number of areas. Nigel
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"
Fri, 05-10-2013 02:15
No, it will not be necessary to hold any of the work waiting for the plow to be turned, end for end. Weather will be the major factor, but there will [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 19:54
The CGW X-38 plow is really coming to life. Bob Kutella and Vic and crew need to be very proud of your collective efforts. I am very appreciative of [...]
Thu, 05-09-2013 15:20
The snowplow looks great! Are you going to apply the door and upper windows befor it is turned to continue work?
Thu, 05-09-2013 09:09
Max, Is there any progress to report yet, in regards to the installation of the poles and overhead wires? Have a good day, sir.
Wed, 05-08-2013 18:40
Thanks for the update! I still don't understand why Commonwealth #5 was removed from service. Do you know why?
Tue, 05-07-2013 09:28
Mr. Kolanowski.....I was just wondering if the Spaulding webcam will be up and running soon for us stay-at-homes. Thanks!2FP
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:04
Max, Has work begun yet on the construction phase of erecting the poles and putting up the wire? Wish I could be there to watch it happen.
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!
Sun, 05-05-2013 18:53
Ah yes, I have made such Jibs myself. If it were me, I would add in each corner an angled piece from the base to the Jib to act as sway bracing. [...]