Illinois Railway Museum Blog

GENERAL DEPARTMENT PROGRESS

Much of the past few weeks has been spent on housekeeping and organizing. Mike, Ray and Marc spent last Sunday clearing up the east end of Barn 3 to make it presentable for the public in two weeks.

With the Villa Falls and Floyd River indoors finally, we have begun to actually get our parts collection organized as well.

Signage is being created and installed on all passenger cars not open for visits.

New information is being compiled to request info signs for equipment now in public areas.

Support for early season special event days is being planned. 

We continue to spend time performing bench repairs on some spare parts for the collection, and further organizing our parts inventory for the future.

With the budget approved, the wheel switch on the CRIP coach remains a plan for spring.

CBQ 1309, a baggage car owned by IRM at least since 2001, (and the baggage mate to our CBQ1923 RPO),  remains an intended project.

We await progress. The Executive Director has related a stop during the current road trip, and perhaps an inquiry of the information necessary to get this car home.

INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT REPORTS

DLW coaches (3)

          No changes as of yet

           Two cars are in service.

The third car is still undergoing required structural welding, but finally nearing completion. The platform is in place, and the door and frame have been remounted.

CBQ RPO 1923

          Progress is being made towards an enhanced event. We also hope to have the car participate in the Memorial Day train, as part of the WWII reenactment.

ATSF 2544

          The prep work for the second side of seats has continued.

 Seat frames are being prepared and the wall work nears completion, with paint work being done now.

Dover Strait

          Progress continues piecemeal, as reassembly of the lounge area continues.  Corridor painting continues, and hardware installation also continues.  The plan is to utilize exterior time during May/June switching in Barn 3 to get the undercarraige  painted, and then have it placed in a position to offer interior inspections as well as enhanced exterior visibility.

 B&M 3288/1094

          No significant changes, beyond the continued progress. Part of the plan for spring includes the possible move of the car to a location where exterior work can be done.

DMIR 84

          Window Frame repairs continue

Yard 5 display

RDC 9933

Brake cylinders are being disassembled and rebuilt to ensure long term function of the car.

Seat frame repairs are nearing completion.

Final baggage rack area has been reinstalled, and lights rewired. 

CBQ Silver Ridge

 While we have not had a lot of time in this car, some backdating has been accomplished, and we still hope to have more done for the 2010 season.

Roomette sink hardware has been located and installed.

light fixtures are being explored to possibly replace more missing pieces.