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Wednesday, July 14. 2010
The annual Diesel Days parade of power is looking to be just as busy as previous years with almost 32,000 horsepower in the line up. We'll kick off the day at 10:00am with normal operations, the heavyweight coach train pulled by BN1, 2, 3, and 9908; the Nebraska Zephyr and CNW bilevels, both air conditioned trains, and a caboose train pulled by BN 5383. Later in the day we'll have a few freight train run-bys. The parade will begin at 1:00pm each day and will have the following lineup: - Joy Manufacturing Company 2 (Whitcomb 12DM38)
- DuPont 25Ton (Plymouth JDT25)
- United States Army 8537 (GE 45Ton)
- Nekoosa Paper 14 (ALCO S1)
- Commonwealth Edison 15 (EMD SW1)
- Milwaukee Road 760 (FM H10-44)
- Illinois Terminal 1605 (EMD GP7)
- Burlington Northern 1 (EMD F9A), 2 (EMD F9B), 3 (EMD E9AM) and 9908 (EMD E9AM) Coach Train
- Burlington Northern 5383 (GE U30C) Caboose Train
- Southern Pacific 1518 (EMD SD7)
- Santa Fe 92 (EMD FP45) and Wisconsin Central 7525 (EMD SD45MQ-3) Modern Freight Train
- Chicago Burlington & Quincy 9255 (EMD SW7)
- Chicago Burlington & Quincy 504 (EMD SD24) Freight Train
- Chicago Burlington & Quincy 9911A (EMC E5A) and Nebraska Zephyr
- Chicago & North Western 6847 (EMD SD40-2)
- Chicago & North Western 4160 (EMD GP7R) MoW/Crane Train
- Chicago & North Western 411 (EMD F7A) and Bilevels Other equipment on display:
- Union Pacific CNW 1995 (SD70ACe)
- Chicago & North Western 8701 (C44-9W)
- Union Pacific UPY 667 (GP15-1) We'll keep the usual disclaimer of All equipment and schedules subject to change without notice. Saturday evening after operations we are planning on some photo ops with the CNW lineup, the 411, 4160, 6847, 8701 and 1995. Anyone staying for the photos must have a general admission ticket or a membership.
Monday, July 12. 2010
Sorry for no pics but little opportunity to tote a camera around with the work being done. This was a GRUELING weekend in high heat and humidity but a substantial amount of work done in many departments. For the Freight Department there were 26 pieces of equipment inspected. Passed - 3 cabooses and 21 freight cars. Failed - two freight cars. So STAY TUNED for some real work during some of the planned Diesel Days operations next weekend. I would be remiss if it was not recognized that this could not have been done without the cooperation and active participation of the Internal Combustion Department. During the preceeding week, an enormous amount of switching and shuffling of cars was needed to get them out of the Barns and yards and into position. On both Saturday and Sunday they also supplied a locomotive, operator, and two to four additional volunteers to help as inspectors, car knockers, and gophers. Thank you all. We are also putting plans into place for July 24 to have a dedication of the CHEVRON financed restoration of tank car IRCX 1277 and thanks to Dan Fenlaciki for giving this a quick wash job last night. A special train will operate and that will include the unveiling of UTLX 17222 in its newly completed restoration, and a rider caboose, CGW 601. As we note in other planning, any number of things can go wrong or cause a delay, but that is a peek under the tent as things stand now. There was additional lettering applied to URTX 26640, several windows glazed and painted for the CA&E cars, a motor and truck swap on the CTA single cars, a massive barn reorganization switch move for the Electric Car Department - lots of cars to see and photograph in their rare few hours exposure to daylight and fresh air, restoration progress on the Vera Cruz 19, painting on the CTS 4223, CTA 1797 door work, re-upholstered seats unpacked for the TM 972, the list goes on and on. Oh, did we mention that the Steam Department re-installed the fifth driver set under the decapod in a MARATHON Saturday work session?
Sunday, July 11. 2010
This weekend was dedicated to cleaning out the interior of LA Brill 8002. Richard Schauer and I lugged the stuff to the front of the coach, then moving it all out the front door to the staging area beside the coach, finally to the final storage place to await reinstallation onto the coach. As with the other coaches from OERM, there was dust EVERYWHERE!!! We not only battled this when removing the parts, but sweeping the coach out afterward was a new adventure in dustiness.
Friday, July 9. 2010
a small note about donations to these two pieces of equipment. They really are appreciated. Factual updates about them: CNW 4103 is in really bad condition, and while the passenger dept is very aware of the cars history, we also are honestly not in position to make any restoration attempt at this point. We are not actively pursuing scrapping, but it obviously will not get any better outside, therefore the cars first need is obviously to get indoors, at 68 plus feet in length the car will require about 13000 to get that done. The good folks that have made recent donations toward this car are the first ones. If folks really want this piece saved, it will take a lot of money. IC King Cotton is another piece that has recently received some donations. As a point of clarification, while we hope to own this car someday, at this moment we do NOT own it. King Cotton is privately owned and the owners' estate has not formally transferred ownership to us. When the car is IRM owned, it of course will need some money for restoration and indoor storage, so the funds will not be for naught. For now, we cannot take any action with it. Again, thanks to everyone that helps with their contributions.
Friday, July 9. 2010
As our organization approaches its 60th birthday, some passenger folks are at a very early stage of exploring the possibility of creating a historical exhibit about IRM within the special display cars in Yard 5. We hope to involve as many of our great volunteers as we can, with artifacts, photos or just plain memories. We will try to keep folks updated as we progress, but if anyone has anything they feel would be appropriate for this type of presentation, please let Ray Bellock, Phil or Jon Habegger know.
Friday, July 9. 2010
We are still attempting to move toward acquisition on Olympus, with funds coming slowly, but steadily. for those that are not aware, we have been offered the CBQ Budd built baggage car Olympus This car was one of two built in 1947 for the Trains of the Gods and Goddesses, when they were reassigned to NZ service. In addition, when the 1956 Denver Zephyr trainset was built, Olympus was reassigned to that service. So it not only fits with our Goddess train, but also would be appropriate with Silver Ridge as well. Argo was destroyed in a wreck in the 90s , therefore not only is Olympus a worthy addition to our collection, but it is THE ONLY ONE. The car has sustained corner damage, which we do not deny; however, it is Budd built (stainless) and dry inside. Baggage doors and one of the two human doors work. The catch is that we need to be reasonably sure we can afford the cost of acquiring. Estimates are 5-6000 to make it roadworthy, and 23-2500 to transport it from its current location on live UP rail. photos taken this spring are at http://www.irm.org/gallery/album237 Donations are still sorely needed and folks that are interested can make donations to the fund ROLYMPUS at the museum. unfortunately there is no direct donation site on the website, but the office can do it over the phone if you wish, or drop it off in the Streamliner sleeper train any day we are there.
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Comments
Wed, 04-11-2018 11:28
You mention in the header that you would like to have the Electroliner operational by its birthday. Was it?
Sun, 04-08-2018 20:03
As a child, IRM was always my favorite place to visit. Well, other than grandma's house next to the Geneva Sub. It's been many years since I now [...]
Wed, 04-04-2018 16:01
Those temporary walls could be constructed in a way that allows their reuse after the phase is done to close off the new phases.
Tue, 03-27-2018 03:08
Why did the smoke box cover on the shay need to be replace Do?
Mon, 03-26-2018 16:29
It never ceases to amaze me of the diligence and passion of the current mix of volunteers associated with IRM in 2018. Back when I was a active [...]
Mon, 03-26-2018 11:10
Awesome paint job Jamie!!! I never would of thought with the Rock Island history this locomotive in this scheme would of been preserved. Thanks for [...]
Sun, 03-25-2018 23:56
The Hick's blog lists it as Fruit Grower's Express FGEX #55407. Arrived in Union June 2016.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:51
Good job on the diesel update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 20:45
Good job on the steam update 2018. Sincere, Ethan A.
Sun, 03-25-2018 00:12
Bill, The 1990 Roster has the PFE #68428; this may be the reefer that we saw moved. It is a rare car and deserves a paint job. Ted Miles, [...]
Fri, 03-16-2018 11:10
It would be rather difficult to operate an 11,000 Volt AC locomotive on our 600 Volt DC wire.
Thu, 03-15-2018 05:57
Good job steam update. Sincerely, Ethan A.