Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Entries from Sunday, March 21. 2010

Sunday, March 21. 2010

Chicago Aurora & Elgin 451 update Posted by James Kolanowski in Chicago Aurora & Elgin 451 at 21:06

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Chicago Aurora & Elgin 451 update

polished window frames

A lot of work has been happening on the 451 over the past few days. Some of the windows have been removed and are being cleaned and the brass polished. The original scheme for this car did not have paint on the window frames. The outside doors are beginning to be cleaned and prepped, bondo applied and soon to be primed.

repaired corner posts

A lot of cleanup work was done on the east end with the door corner posts and the roll sign box. All the rotted steel was removed and new steel was cold rolled and welded in place. The most difficult part at this point is still coming up with the correct color of gray. The samples we have received to date have all been matched exactly, however, the color on parts of the car do not match those samples. We will be matching two more shades of gray, which will likely be the colors used for the gray on the original 451 scheme, and the second being the gray on the 319.

Additional photos have been added to the CA&E 451 Restoration Gallery. To continue this aggressive restoration project into the Priming and Painting stage, additional monies and donations are still needed. To help with this project, please consider a donation to the Electric Car Department Car Painting Fund, your support will be appreciated.

Sunday, March 21. 2010

Wood Shop Update - March 20, 2010 Posted by Robert Kutella in Wood Shop at 06:05

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Wood Shop Update - March 20, 2010

It was a very busy day with a large volunteer crew in the wood shop, as well as many hands on deck in the Electric Car Department. I took some time out to unlimber the camera a few times. We started out making arrangements for an upcoming tour for the Woodstock Woodworkers club and shifted into high gear making sawdust.

The Shop Cart

Henry Vincent has been working earlier this week to add new wheels to one of our shop carts, and new timber to act as sides/push arms. Before he could complete the job we were already stacking parts on it.

The Feeder

Henry switched over to the shaper crew for testing the final setup on the shaper being used to mill new battens for the depot. The fifty some pieces of stock had been planed to thickness by this time. We are using a power feeder on the machine, but here Henry was in training to start each piece of stock and keep it on track.

Getting in Shape

Buzz Morisette was doing more trim and fitting on the new windwos for the MILW 01984 caboose while the shaping was in full swing. The batten crew included (l to r) Dan Fenlaciki, Henry VIncent, and Rich Witt. Victor Humphreys was not in this pic but was invaluable as usual.

Rabbets

Buzz needed to make several small rabbets and grooves for tracking the sliding bay windows and here he is making use of a custom jig that has served us well for such work.

Wow

By the end of the day Rich Witt was stacking off several hundred feet of finshed depot battens, I think five layers deep in this pic. Lots more to go, come on out.

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Comments

Nick D. about Polishing up on the polishing...
Sun, 05-19-2013 22:13
Hello again. I had an idea that was (somewhat rudely, mid-sentence) dismissed in talking to a museum volunteer a few years back, but here it goes [...]

Thomas Bernacki about CGW X38 Update - May 15, 2013
Thu, 05-16-2013 21:52
Looking good Bob! I hope to come out soon once I'm done with school.

Nigel Bennett about Steam Department Update 04-27-2013
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

Wally Unglaub about Signal Department - May 11, 2013
Mon, 05-13-2013 11:08
"THUMBS UP!"

Robert Kutella about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
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 [...]

Bob Vaughn about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
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 [...]

Kirk Warner about CGW X38 Update - May 8, 2013
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?

Wally Unglaub about NEW TROLLEY BUS LOOP
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.

hyde seybold about Steam Department Update 04-27-2013
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?

Jim Froida about Photo Gallery stats as of November 24, 2012
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

Wally Unglaub about NEW TROLLEY BUS LOOP
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.

Wally Unglaub about CGW X38 Update - May 1, 2013
Mon, 05-06-2013 23:02
Keep up the good work, Bob. Wish I could be there to help!!!!!!!